North Oxford’s promotion hopes were dashed when they lost 8-4 at home to leaders Beckford in the Southern Regional Division of the Aegon Team Tennis League.

There was a surprising defeat for North’s first string Jeff Hunter, who went down 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to Chris Morrow, the third-ranked UK under 16 player.

But Hunter, along with Ruben Rivero-Ramos, gained revenge in the doubles.

There was an impressive straight-sets win for North’s Joe Cartledge.

Harry Brown put up a great fight to lose narrowly to the UK’s leading under 18 player, Matthew Morrow – brother of Chris.

North Oxford, who are still third , entertain Maidenhead 2nd at Banbury Road on Sunday 12), with Jack Rooney and Balazs Vuksitz replacing Hunter and Brown in the side.

RESULTS.

North Oxford 4pts, Beckford 8 (North Oxford first): J Hunter lost to C Morrow 3-6, 6-0, 6-3; H Brown lost to M Morrow 6-1, 1-6, 6-3; J Cartledge bt S Filiatrault 6-2, 6-4; E Rivero-Ramos bt C Cole 6-4, 7-6; Hunter & Rivero-Ramos bt C Morrow & Filiatrault 6-3, 6-1; H Brown & J Cartledge lost to C Cole 6-4, 6-1.

l Virgin Active have taken an early lead in Division 1 of the Wilson OLTA League Ladies Division 1 after a 3-1 win against Woodstock Portcullis, from Wallingford, went top of Division 2 with a 3-1 success over Mapledurham – their third successive win.

Headington Girls beat Oxford High 8-4 to reach the regional final of the Aegon Schools Championships, where they will meet Marl-borough College.

In the boys event, Abingdon School, having beaten Bradfield College 7-6 in a shoot-out, lost 8-4 to Aylesbury GS.

Jamie Redfern (White Horse/Virgin Active) and Ollie Broadhurst (White Horse/Standlake) won thro-ugh the play-offs to join Connor Ferguson and George Slater (both White Horse) in the Oxfordshire ten & under team.

They will be playing matches against Bucks, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex at Holton, Bucks, on June 2 & 3.

Bobby Hornby collected his 30th medal in two years when winning the final in a mini tennis weekend for six to ten-year-olds at St Hugh’s School, Faringdon. He beat fellow North Oxford player Christopher Orr 10-8 in the final.

Grace Manson (Virgin Active) won the girls event.

OTHER RESULTS.

PORTCULLIS Grade 4 tournament.

Boys’ 14 & under final: H Ridge (Shiplake) bt J Blakeley (Wiltshire) 6-3, 6-1.

Girls’ 14 & under final: M Karditsas (Abingdon) bt T Gujral (Woodstock).