TENNIS: Littletons hand out shock to hit Shipston's second hopes

THE battle for runners-up behind champions Stratford was thrown wide open last week following defeats for both Studley and Shipston.

The former were shocked to be beaten quite comfortably by an impressive Littleton team who took a straight sets victory to move up to third.

Results: Ian Smith & Chris Elliott bt Gary Jackson & Dave Innes 6-0, 6-2 & Mike Stanton & Mel McGregor 6-1, 6-3. Richard Herbourn & Sean Witheford bt Stanton & McGregor 6-0, 6-3 & Jackson & Innes 6-2, 6-0.

Shipston were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat against Stratford who showed the power that has propelled them to the top flight title.

Results: Tim Page & Simon West bt Adam Moran & Toby Kemp 6-2, 6-3 & Ed Bosley & Clive Lane 6-1, 6-2. Rob Slatter & Richard Monk bt Bosley & Monk 6-2, 6-4 & Moran & Kemp 7-6, 6-3.

Henley 2, Claverdon 2: John Turner & Ben Summers bt Richard Butler & James Courier 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 & Pieter Van-Hengel & Nigel Bacon 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. Phil Silk & Tom Holland lost 6-4, 6-4 to Van-Hengel & Bacon & 7-5, 6-4 Butler & Courier.

Inkberrow B took over at the top of Division Two despite mixed results.

They enjoyed a 4-0 win over Pershore and then gained another point when surprisingly beaten 3-1 by third-placed Moreton-in-Marsh.

Previous leaders Stratford E slipped down a place after being held 2-2 by HDA Redditch. Alc-ester swapped places in mid table with Stratford D after they defeated them 4-0, while the only other result saw basement side Studley B draw 2-2 with Pershore.

It's getting tight at the top of the third division where leaders Ardencote dropped more points after a 2-2 draw with third-placed Ilmington.

Whitnash closed the gap to one point as they beat Littleton C 4-0 in a rain rearranged match and might have caught Ardencote had they not had to stop their match with Bidford B at 1-1 due to bad light.

Joint third in the standings, Chipping Campden B, enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Littleton C, while Snitterfield and Claverdon B shared the points in their 2-2 draw.

Inactive Alcester B stayed top of Division Four but are now equal on points with Claverdon C who defeated Shipston B 3-1.

Moreton B stay in third despite being losing 3-1 to second bottom Harbury.