THERE will be no local interest in today's Premier Division final of the National Clubs League at the Hampshire Tennis Club, Southampton.

Holcombe Brook's ladies' and men's teams finished fourth and fifth in their respective divisions following their final group games this week.

On Monday the men went down 5-1 to Connaught (Essex) at Longsight Road and wound up their campaign with another reverse by the same score when they travelled to London-based St Georges Hill on Wednesday.

The ladies' team fared marginally better going down 4-2 at Winchester on Monday then losing 3-2 on a tie break shootout after finishing level at 3-3 on rubbers at Gosling on Wednesday.

"There are 800 teams in the NCL County, Regional and Premier Divisions which form the singles based structure of the NCL," said Paul Hutchins the former British Davis Cup captain who organises the annual event.

"Holcombe are one of the smallest clubs in the Premier Division and their continuing involvement at such a high level of club tennis is down to the sheer enthusiasm of coach Tony Lawson and other key personnel at the club.

"They are a shining example to many clubs in the UK," he added.

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