NORTH Oxford’s men moved to the brink of reaching the national finals of the LTA Team Tennis competition with a 10-2 victory away to Thornden.

The success made it five victories out of five for the National Open South West Division leaders.

And it means they now need to win just one of their two remaining matches to qualify for the national finals at Bournemouth from Friday, August 31 to Sunday September 2.

Jonny Maskens, Benedict Calnan and Joe Cartledge put the visitors in charge by coming out on top in their singles ties – all in straight sets.

Jeff Hunter was the only player to lose, going down in an epic three-set contest which lasted 3hrs 30mins.

He still had enough energy left to win his doubles in straight sets with Cartledge, while Maskens and Calnan won their contest on a tie-break.