NORTH Oxford came away from the national finals of the LTA Team Tennis competition with their heads held high.

The club battled against some of the best teams in the country, which included former Davis Cup players, at West Hants in Bournemouth.

North Oxford’s side of Jack Rooney, Jon Maskens, Jeff Hunter, Ben Calnan, Cameron Price and Joe Cartledge faced eventual winners David Lloyd Raynes Park in the first round.

They were beaten 10-2, but Calnan had set points against ex-Davis Cup player Jamie Baker, while Price battled hard in a 6-1, 6-4 loss to World No 220 Liam Broady.

North Oxford then faced Northern LTC in the consolation round, eventually going down 7-6.

They battled back from 3-1 down to level the match after winning both doubles.

A tie-break shoot-out then followed and, after the singles was tied 1-1, the Oxfordshire side were edged out 10-7 in the doubles.