Shropshire tennis teams go close to promotion after impressive LTA Winter County Cup performances

Both Shropshire's ladies and men's tennis teams enjoyed impressive LTA Winter County Cup campaigns as they took their promotion challenge to the final day.

Both county sides enjoyed victories in their opening two matches of the prestigious annual event to give them hope of achieving promotion.

Final day defeats ensured they both ultimately finished second in their four-team groups, with plenty of positives to emerge for Shropshire.

Fiona Jones, the Tennis Shropshire chair, said: “Both teams represented Shropshire fantastically well once again.

"It's great to see the commitment we get from our top players who enjoy playing in the County Cup events twice a year.

“Thanks very much to everyone who played and to Alex Parry and Elena Griffiths for leading the teams.

“Both teams played excellent tennis as they each achieved two very good victories and went close to gaining promotion."

Shropshire ladies, who had home advantage in Group 5B at The Shrewsbury Club, opened the three-day competition with a 7-2 victory over North Wales.

They enjoyed that winning feeling once again on day two by getting the better of Oxfordshire 5-4.

That left everything to play for on the final day, with Berkshire, a strong side also victorious in their opening two matches, gaining promotion following an 8-1 success against Shropshire.

The county ladies side was led by Elena Griffiths, with Cheryl Evans winning all four of the matches she played. Tamzin Pountney and Helen Roberts also ended with four wins.

The Shropshire side also featured Karen Biddle, Amy Dannatt, Chloe Hughes, Samara Pateman and Eleanor Yates.

Shropshire's men's team, meanwhile, travelled to the East Midlands to play in Group 5B at Nottingham Trent University.

Just like the county's ladies team, they enjoyed wins in their first two matches as they beat both Hereford & Worcester and then Gloucestershire 7-2.

They went into the final day knowing another win would see them promoted, as did opponents Nottinghamshire, who emerged 5-3 winners to leave Shropshire, captained by Alex Parry, runners-up.

Luke Henley won all six of his matches, with Tom Loxley also having a 100 per cent record with five wins from as many matches.

Alan Bevan, Ed Gibbs, Mo Morsi, Duarte Monteiro and Matt Jones also lined up for Shropshire.

Pictured: The Shropshire ladies and men's teams face the camera. They both finished second in their groups at the LTA Winter County Cup.