East Grinstead consider themselves the Bradford City of the National League (South East).

Like their footballing counterparts, the West Sussex club's men's team have struggled for success in the top flight.

They are competing on an uneven playing field because they cannot afford to pay players like many rivals.

While opponents this season have former British No.1 Jeremy Bates, British Davis Cup duo Danny Sapsford and Mark Petchey and world-ranked aces to call on, Grinstead rely on goodwill.

But the underdogs from Ship Street are still afloat and revelling in the experience.

They have already caused an upset this season by defeating David Lloyd (Raynes Park), who have Petchey on their books.

The match finished 3-3 and, as no draws are allowed, they played three tie-breaks in which Dan Oppe and David Smith won singles and James Callow, with Simmons, triumphed in the doubles.

Grinstead lost the opening fixture 6-0 against The Globe (London), whose women's team were national champ-ions last year. They improved in the next fixture, a 5-1 defeat against Bexley, who were third last year.

But the penalty shoot-out victory against David Lloyd (Raynes Park) has given them the belief they can survive any relegation threat in their debut season in the strongest region in the country.

Simmons said: "Some teams are paying players at this level. I am sure some could be getting around £3-500 a match.

"We can't do that but what we have is a club spirit. We know every match that all our players will turn out whereas some of the other clubs who have world ranked players may not be in the same position."

East Grinstead face Sutton Hardcourts on Sunday.

Simmons said: "I feel that we will be reasonably competitive. They have three French guys on their books who are world ranked but I don't think they will be available."

East Grinstead's fixture list also includes West Middlesex, St George's Hill (Weybridge) and Sutton Juniors.

Simmons is hopeful his club can avoid the drop with a victory against West Middlesex but he knows the other two matches will be tough. He said: "Sutton Juniors have many LTA prospects involved as there is a national base at their club.

"St George's have a very strong side with the likes of Sapsford and Bates and Jeffrey Hunter.

"They should beat us with their full side. But if Danny plays at No.2 for them I would play him and if I were to beat him it would really be a high for me.

"The club gets prestige from playing at this level and we are slightly more relaxed because there is more pressure on world ranked and former circuit players to perform."

East Grinstead finished fourth in the South Division last year before switching to the South East.

Simmons said: "We were due to go into the South East last year but there was no room for us so they put us in the South, which was slightly easier."

Brighton Parks, like East Grinstead, have no funds to sponsor their players.

They share a team spirit with their Sussex counterparts and so far it has put their ladies team on a winning run in the South East Division.

After pipping Roehampton on tie-breaks in their opening match, they defeated Hampden Park (Eastbourne) 4-2 with Julie Dawson, Ghislaine Mewett, Helen Mitchell and Steph Trill.

They whitewashed David Lloyd (Sidcup) 6-0 without dropping a set with Laure Hamilton replacing Trill.

Captain Lyn Paterson said: "It was quite a surprise to beat David Lloyd (Sidcup) so convincingly."

Brighton Parks entertain Esporta from Croydon tomorrow. Esporta are, like St George's Hill, a wealthy club who can afford the likes of Lizzie Jelfs and Kate Warne-Holland.

Hampden Park have No.1 Anthea Stewart, one of the world's leading veterans, back as they look for their first win in the division this season at home to Sundridge Park on Sunday.

The Eastbourne club, who lost to David Lloyd (Sidcup) in their opening fixture, went down 5-1 at Roehampton with Stewart unavailable.

Jenny Hughes, the No.2 who is taking a late fitness test on a wrist injury, is under no illusions about the challenges her team are facing this season.

She said: "It is hard. I played for The Weald four years ago in the league but the standard is now so much higher with former full-time players. When we played Roehampton, I was up against Caroline Herbert who only gave up full-time tennis last year.

"We don't pay players, although Anthea could ask for something, but we do our best."

Hampden Park's squad for Sundridge Park is Anthea Stewart, Jenny Hughes, Kim Reed, Rachel Harris, Ruth Fitzpatrick, Joan Williams and Fiona Bottomley.