FOR the second successive year, Shipston and Inkberrow will contest the Prudden Road Surfacing League Junior Cup Final, following Monday's absorbing and closely contested semi-final pool at Bidford.

In fine but blustery conditions, defending champions Ricky Allan and Chris Smith of Inkberrow initially found the going tough against Shipston's Andrew Moss and Ben Lane, losing their unbeaten record with 6-2 defeat.

On the other court, Harry Leek and Will Bayliss opened with a 6-2 win for Henley-in-Arden over Thomas Griffiths and Simon Horner of Snitterfield.

In the second rubbers, Shipston completed a 6-3 win over Snitterfield, while Inkberrow crucially edged past Henley in a contest that was much tighter than the 6-3 scoreline suggests.

Inkberrow then overcame Snitterfield, who had battled bravely all evening for little reward, once again by 6-3.

They could then only watch and wait while Henley mounted a bold bid to defeat Shipston and thus reach the final on game difference.

At 4-3 ahead, Henley had a real chance of pulling this off. However,the Shipston pair battled back, eventually prevailing in a tie-break to preserve their unbeaten record and ensure a rematch of the 2004 final.

The match will take place at Stratford on Sunday, September 4.