STUDLEY'S hopes of claiming runners-up spot in the Prudden Road Surfacing League Premier Division were dashed in the final week of scheduled fixtures after a 3-1 defeat to Shipston.

But with oustanding fixtures still to be played Inkberrow are still very much in the hunt thanks to a 4-0 walkover win awarded against a Henley team who have now been relegated to Division Two.

And the chase for the 'best of the rest' title behind champions Stratford is all set to be decided with the outstanding match between third-placed Inkberrow and fourth placed Shipston, rearranged after rain stopped the original fixture.

Littleton are currently second on 32 points but have finished their fixtures while Inkberrow have 31 and Shipston 29.

Studley were knocked out of the running with Adam Moran and Ross Tugwood the Shipston stars winning both their rubbers 6-4, 6-4, over Dave Innes and Gary Jackson and 6-1, 6-2, over Nick Allen & Derek Northam.

Shipston captain Ed Bosley and Simon Moss lost to Allen and Northam 1-6, 0-6, but beat Innes and Jackson 7-5, 6-4.

In Division One mid-table Bidford's 2-2 draw with bottom placed FISSC B doomed the latter to Division Two.

Inkberrow are promoted from Division Two but saw Moreton win their game in hand to take the league title from their grasp in the final week.

The damage was done in a 2-2 draw in Inkberrow's derby clash against HDA Redditch, a result which was enough to save HDA from the drop.

Inkberrow were given no favours by neighbours Alcester, who went belly up in a 4-0 loss to Moreton who then wrapped up the title with a 4-0 win in their rain-rearranged match against Pershore.

Studley B were consigned to Division Three after defeat to Stratford D.

Bidford B endured a similar fate in Division Three following a 3-1 loss to Littleton C.

Alcester B claimed the Division Four title with a 4-0 win over third-placed Shipston B whilst Studley C went down 4-0 to Claverdon C, who clinched promotion with victory.