THE PENULTIMATE week of the Wildmoor Spa Tennis League saw many of the promotion and relegation issues decided.
In the Premier Division, with Stratford already crowned champions, it was the runners-up prize which was being contested.
With Evesham beating relegation candidates Claverdon 3-1 and Ardencote Manor going down 4-0 to Stratford, Evesham look favourites for this honour as they now lead Ardencote by four points with only one week to go.
Alcester moved up to fourth, taking the place of Henley-in-Arden who were trounced 4-0 by Alcester. Finally, Littleton were dragged into danger and only one point from the drop to Division One when they were surprisingly turned over 3-1 by already relegated bottom side Inkberrow.
In Division One Studley A confirmed promotion to the Premier Division as champions, celebrating with a 3-1 win over Aston Cantlow and in doing so placing Cantlow in real danger of the drop.
Shipston-on-Stour surprised fourth placed Snitterfield by beating them 3-1. In doing so, Shipston lifted themselves a point clear of Cantlow and relegation.
However, the real battle for the second promotion place alongside Studley A saw Studley B beat Pershore 3-1 to swap places and go into that second spot, one point clear of their rivals.
The Division Two battle really began when Whitnash closed to within two points of leaders Moreton-in-Marsh A as the Leamington outfit beat relegated Claverdon B 4-0, while Moreton could only manage a 3-1 win over third placed Stratford B.
This latter result, however, does mean that both Moreton B and Whitnash are confirmed in winning promotion to the top division next year.
With Alcester B having no match, the only other match saw Bidford A go down heavily 4-0 to HDA B and in doing so swap places, meaning Bidford sit only one point clear of the second relegation spot currently occupied by Alcester B with 18 points.
It was the last week of fixtures for Division Three and Ardencote Manor B were crowned champions with 31 points and are promoted. They celebrated in their last match with a 4-0 victory over Ilmington who with this result are relegated.
The team three points above Ilmington – Wildmoor Spa A – moved into safety by claiming two invaluable points in a 2-2 draw with bottom and relegated team Chipping Campden B.
Inkberrow B almost blew their chances of promotion as their challengers FISSC took a shock 4-0 win over them and were unlucky to miss out on promotion only on sets difference as both themselves and Inkberrow B finished with 21 points.
Division Four is still wide open as before this week only two points separated five teams near the top. The only thing decided with one week to go was the two relegation places with Littleton B already 11 adrift on 14 points and Chipping Campden C rooted to the bottom with only four points all season and beaten again, this time 3-1 by Claverdon C.
At the head of the table the top two teams Alcester C and Henley B clashed and the resulting 2-2 draw meant Alcester C still lead by a solitary point.
Snitterfield B took advantage to go joint second on 28 points with Henley B After beating Littleton B 3-1. Previously third placed Studley C had no match.
The Division Five championship is undecided with both Pershore B and HDA B Redditch on 35 points, but each confirmed as promoted.
Pershore B were held to a 2-2 draw by fourth placed Moreton-in-Marsh B but keep the lead over HDA B on sets difference. Meanwhile, HDA B managed a 3-1 victory over mid-table Bidford B.
Inkberrow C defeated Wildmoor B 3-1 and bottom team Inkberrow D had no fixture.
