HERTFORDSHIRE will attempt to continue their dominance of tennis at the Aegon Summer County Cup as both the men and the women head to Eastbourne for this year’s tournament.

Some of the country’s best players take time out of their professional careers to represent their counties. Andy Murray played for North of Scotland in 2009 and the best counties will be heading to Devonshire Park for the cup which runs from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26th.

Hertfordshire have had particular success in the competition with the men’s team victorious in four of the last five years and last year rounding it all off as both the men and the women took the titles.

The men’s team once again look very strong with David Rice, who appeared at The Championships, Wimbledon in the doubles, and Harpenden’s Ed Corrie, who is behind just Murray and James Ward in the amount of ATP ranking points won this year – rising 201 places in the world rankings.

The defending women’s team will also field some excellent young players looking to make their mark such as 15-year-old Emily Arbuthnott who is ranked no.1 in the country for under-16 and under-18 along with Jennifer Brown and Mollie Crouch who are UK no.2 and no.5 at under-18s.

There are a number of other top players in the rest of the draw for the doubles-only tournament such as Surrey’s Chris Eaton, who made it to the second round of Wimbledon in 2008 and Cheshire’s Samantha Murray who was given a wildcard to Wimbledon this year.

With entry totally free for fans there is always a fine atmosphere and the passion for representing their county often spills out into extremely exciting, hard-fought tennis on the sublime Devonshire Park courts.

Tournament director Julie Piper said: “The Aegon Summer County Cup is one of the highlights of the domestic tennis season and we are looking forward to some more high-quality tennis out on court.

“Just a month ago people such as Laura Robson and Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli were playing at Devonshire Park in the Aegon International so the players can look forward to some of the best courts in the country.

“And fans get to experience one of the most picturesque grounds to watch tennis in England. It will be a fantastic tournament and no doubt with everyone supporting their counties it should be a lot of fun.”

Play will begin no later than 10.30am on each day and will continue on throughout the day. There is easy access to parking and catering will be available. Entry is free.