Essex mens and ladies teams are in action in the LTA Inter County Grass Court Championships in a couple of weeks.

The men are back in Group One after three years in the lower reaches and play at Eastbourne and hoping to win the national title. They will play against Hampshire, Berkshire, Kent, Devon and Leicestershire.

Non-playing captain John Marnoch has selected Danny Ward, Matthew Coombes, Keith Tomlin, Michael Ellames, Simon Harston and Richard Barham.

The ladies team were relegated last year and play in Group Two at Cromer and the team has still to be announced by captain Christine Jolly.

They will play South Wales, Sussex, Kent, Oxfordshire and Norfolk and will be hoping for a quick return.

The County Week competition is played during the week July 19-23.

The closing date for this year's Save & Prosper Essex Open Junior Tennis Tournament looms on the horizon. The tournament takes place at the Gidea Park club during the week August 2-7.

Entries are taken up to July 17 and there are singles and doubles in most age groups from 21's down to 10's.

Players can compete in four events, two singles and a mens and a mixed doubles.

Players losing in the early rounds can compete in the Consolation Plate event. For entry details contact Harry Brickwood on 01268 743838.

The Billericay club are holding tennis coaching courses for beginners. There are sessions open to players of varying standards.

The courses start on July 12. For details contact Billericay club coach Graham Lister on 01277 222095.

Helen Crook one of Essex top lady players made a short appearance in The Championships at Wimbledon last week.

She was again competing in the ladies doubles with regular partner Vicky Davies from Wales.

They lost to Christina Papadaki (Greece) and Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 4-6, 1-6. British No 1 Sam Smith from Loughton lost her first round match in the ladies singles to Ines Gorrochategui (Argentina) 1-6, 6-1, 2-6.

Gidea Park men moved a step nearer winning the Essex Singles League Division One when they beat Clearview 4-2 at the weekend. The team was Cary Willson, Robert Gordon, Bob Birchley and James Nelson.

The singles was drawn 2-2 but the Gidea players won both the singles.

For Clearview the team was Sata Khatib, Jack Stammers, Lee Bellchamber and Gary Lewis.

Gidea Park, who have won three of their four matches, and have 10 points, need a good result from their last match with Connaught to overtake Redbridge who are just one point in front.

Phil O'Leary the club coach at Gidea Park has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Dubler Cup in August.

He will represent his country in the Mens Over 45 event.

His selection follows a successful mens doubles in the Great Britain Veteran Championships. He plays in Luxembourg during the week starting August 9.

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