Last year's National League runners-up, Frinton, will be aiming to go one better when the new season gets under way on Sunday.

Beaten in the final after an impressive run of form in 1998, team manager Bob Smith believes the squad is even better this time around.

He said: "It would be nice to get to the final again, but I can't guarantee that. There are some difficult teams against us. All we can do is try to build on last year.

"I think we're stronger than last year. For some matches players were not available. Now we've got cover for them."

Again some of the country's top players will turn out at the Holland Road courts as well as some from overseas.

James Trotman, the Ipswich player who won the boys' doubles at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon as a junior, is signed on.

Of last season's team, former Davis Cup player Nick Gould remains as well as James Fox, Paul Robinson, Richard Whichello and Dutchmen Ralph Kok and Willem Lemckart.

Mexican doubles specialist David Roditi could also play depending on his progress in both the Italian and French Open tournaments.

He is likely to miss Sunday's opener at home to Maidenhead, noon start, as is Tati Rascon, a Spaniard once ranked 140 in the world.

To reach the final, Frinton must win their group of six, all the fixtures of which will be played during the next fortnight.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.