Depleted Warwickshire face daunting task at Eastbourne

FORMER England international and Stratford Tennis Club coach Natasha Hillyer will spearhead the Warwickshire women's tennis team as they battle to stay up in elite Group 1 of County Week at Eastbourne next week, writes Sally Jones.

With county stalwarts Luisa Cowper, Emily Smith, Celia Fraser and Alice Hopkins all injured or unavailable, Katie Shaw's young side faces a daunting task against title favourites Surrey, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The calm and consistent Hillyer, 27, played a central role last year when Warwickshire ensured its Group 1 survival with victory over a solid Lancashire side and she looks likely to partner the big-hitting Alannah Griffin from Solihull at first pair.

Coventry’s Soumeya Anane, 22, who recently graduated from university in North Carolina where she was on a tennis scholarship, is also a likely partner as she and Hillyer combined well to record a string of crucial victories last year.

Meanwhile, Stratford Club coach Steve Lee celebrates his 18 straight showing at County Week as Warwickshire men aim for a second promotion in a row following last year's promotion from Group 5.

Wimbledon giant-killer Dan Evans, plus junior internationals Lloyd Glasspool, Mason Recci and Recci’s coach Maniel Bains are all unavailable because of overseas tournament commitments, but new county captain Nathan Rooney, is bullish about his side’s chances in Hunstanton.

“Luckily we’ve got great strength in depth,” he said.

“I’m delighted that our international player Bjorn Thompson is turning out for us and will probably partner me at first pair.

"We’re also very proud of Steve Lee’s fine record. He’s been a great servant of the county and a terrific team member – and Cameron Malik who used to coach at Stratford will be in the side too.

"We’re a good mix of youth and experience – from Karan Tumblr from Solihull who’s just finished his A-Levels to former tournament players James Southwood and Richard Partridge, who is now coaching in Coventry.

"Our first job is to stay up in what looks a pretty strong group – but with the players we’ve got, I’m convinced we should be pushing for promotion pretty hard too.”