Stratford A and Stratford B brought forward their match to Saturday morning when the club hold regular practice sessions. The second string were represented by three of their most promising youngsters Harry Nash, Daniel Shevket and debutant Ollie Peake who is the first junior player to progress from the after school club at Thomas Jolyffe School. The trio have a combined age of just 40 and have made rapid progress in their first season. They formed the youngest team to play in the Stratford league for many years and performed well against their experienced colleagues despite being unable to prevent Pete Barrow, Debbie Barrow and Richard Grover from imposing a maximum.
Snitterfield maintained their title challenge with a 9-1 win over Tanworth Taipans who were only represented by two players. John Price and Clive Irwin were both unbeaten with Alison Stewart adding their other success. However she was taken to a decisive fifth set by both opponents with contrasting fortunes. Stewart overcame Tim Lawrence but lost out to Jason Rainey who thereby ensured the visitors avoided the whitewash.
As the teams go into the Christmas break Stratford A top the table with 95 points from 11 matches, 12 points ahead of Colebridge Pasties who have a match in hand. Shottery A in third place have 82 points but, crucially, have played just nine, while Snitterfield are still in the mix with 72 points from only eight matches. However it is still all to play for as, by a quirk of the fixtures, the leading teams have yet to play one another. Once they have played all 15 opponents the top eight will go into Division 1, with the remaining seven forming Division 2, with teams competing for a second time this season with those in their division.
