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diff --git a/docutils/parsers/rst/tableparser.py b/docutils/parsers/rst/tableparser.py
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index 2cd3879..fd24424 100644
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--- a/docutils/parsers/rst/tableparser.py
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+++ b/docutils/parsers/rst/tableparser.py
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@@ -511,8 +511,8 @@ class SimpleTableParser(TableParser):
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                 if i == lastcol and line[end:].strip():
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                     text = line[start:].rstrip()
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                     new_end = start + len(text)
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-                    columns[i] = (start, new_end)
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                     main_start, main_end = self.columns[-1]
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+                    columns[i] = (start, max(main_end, new_end))
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                     if new_end > main_end:
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                         self.columns[-1] = (main_start, new_end)
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                 elif line[end:nextstart].strip():
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diff --git a/test/test_parsers/test_rst/test_tables.py b/test/test_parsers/test_rst/test_tables.py
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index ed7e177..28b8070 100755
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--- a/test/test_parsers/test_rst/test_tables.py
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+++ b/test/test_parsers/test_rst/test_tables.py
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@@ -789,6 +789,56 @@ A table with three  columns.
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 """],
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 ["""\
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 ==============  ======
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+A simple table  this text extends to the right
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+cell 3          as does this text
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+==============  ======
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+""",
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+"""\
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+<document source="test data">
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+    
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+        <tgroup cols="2">
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+            <colspec colwidth="14">
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+            <colspec colwidth="30">
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+            
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+                <row>
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            A simple table
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            this text extends to the right
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+                <row>
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            cell 3
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            as does this text
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+"""],
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+["""\
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+==============  ======
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+A simple table  this text extends to the right
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+                continuation of cell 2
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+==============  ======
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+""",
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+"""\
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+<document source="test data">
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+    
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+        <tgroup cols="2">
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+            <colspec colwidth="14">
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+            <colspec colwidth="30">
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+            
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+                <row>
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            A simple table
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+                    <entry>
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+                        <paragraph>
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+                            this text extends to the right
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+                            continuation of cell 2
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+"""],
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+["""\
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+==============  ======
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 A simple table  with
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 no bottom       border
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 """,