NORTH Oxford’s men have secured a spot in the national finals of the LTA Team Tennis competition.

Their sixth win out of six came against rock-bottom David Lloyd Bristol, but they only squeezed through 7-6 to become South West champions with a game to spare.

In their tightest contest of the campaign, Cameron Bowie and Jon Maskens won the first two singles in straight sets for North, but Jack Rooney and Saleem Rizvi lost their matches.

The two doubles ties were drawn, triggering a shoot-out involving three championship tie-breaks.

Maskens and Rizvi won as a pair 10-8 – from 8-4 down – while Rooney clinched the key singles clash 11-9.

It was enough for North to qualify for the finals in Bournemouth, which start on August 31.

They play their final league match at home to David Lloyd Poole on June 24.