EVESHAM were overtaken at the top of the Wildmoor Spa Men’s League Premier Division by holders Stratford after being held 2-2 at Ardencote Manor.
While Stratford beat struggling Studley ‘B’ 4-0 to go ahead on sets difference, Evesham could only draw with the fourth-placed side.
The opening rubber went the town’s way as Ardencote captain Myles Wilcox-Smith and Christian Hardy fell 6-4, 6-3 to John Clarke and Chris Francis.
They then lost to Evesham pair Simon Wall and Andy Crowther 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
However, Ardencote’s Ben Summers and Rich Butler surprised the visitors by beating Wall and Crowther 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-8) and Wilcox-Smith and Hardy 6-4, 6-4.
Studley ‘A’ dropped to third after drawing 2-2 at lowly Littletons.
Sean Witheford and Dave Rudge lost to Studley’s Damian Hampton and Mark Wilmore 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-6) but beat Martyn Richards and Paul Farmer 7-6, 6-1.
Richard Herborn and Simon Blewitt defeated Richards and Farmer 6-4, 7-5 only to lose to Witheford and Rudge 7-5, 6-1.
In Division One, Moreton-in-Marsh opened up a four-point gap at the top with a 4-0 victory at Whitnash.
Pershore moved up to second after a 4-0 win over Inkberrow.
Ardencote Manor ‘B’ top Division Two following a 4-0 win at Inkberrow ‘B’.
Stratford ‘B’ remained third after overcoming bottom team Chipping Campden ‘A’ 3-1 and FISSC crept up to joint fourth with a 4-0 win over Shipston-on-Stour ‘A’.
In Division Three, high-flying Henley ‘B’ beat lowly Campden ‘B’ 4-0. Ilmington were docked a point for fielding only one pair but stayed fifth after drawing 2-2 with bottom team Wildmoor Spa ‘A’.
It was all change at the top of Division Four when Claverdon ‘C’ knocked Bidford-on-Avon ‘A’ down to joint third when they won 4-0.
Title-chasers HDA Redditch ‘B’ defeated Pershore ‘B’ 3-1, while Inkberrow ‘C’ defeated Moreton ‘B’ 3-1 and Littletons ‘B’ triumphed 4-0 at Campden ‘C’.
In Division Five, leaders Warwick won 4-0 against basement boys Shipston ‘B’, who only fielded one pair and were docked one point.
Wildmoor Spa ‘B’ beat Evesham ‘B’ 4-0, HDA Redditch ‘C’ defeated Moreton ‘C’ 3-1 and Inkberrow ‘D’ saw off Bidford ‘B’ 4-0.
Meanwhile, Pershore Tennis Centre host their Great British tennis weekend on Saturday, June 13, from 2pm until 5pm.
There is a parent and child tournament this Sunday ahead of the Pershore Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday.
For more details, call 01386-556677 or visit pershoretennis.co.uk.
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