Oxford City’s Beth Simmons came away from the National Deaf Championships at Gosling High Performance Centre, Welwyn Garden City with three runners-up trophies.

She lost 6-3, 6-3 to Surrey’s Bethany Brookes in the singles, having defeated twin sister and teammate Alex, who was playing in the finals for the first time in five years after taking time out for occupational therapy studies, 6-2, 6-0.

It was the same story in the doubles as Beth and partner Sophie Paul beat Alex and Savannah Elliot 4-6, 6-3 (10-7) after a tie-break decider.

In the mixed doubles, Beth and Devon’s Peter Willcox, the defending champions and second seeds, defeated Surrey duo Jack Clifton and Brookes 6-3, 6-1 to set up a repeat of last year’s final against Lewis and Catherine Fletcher.

However, this time the top seeds triumphed 7-6 (2), 6-7 (2), 10-7.

The winners had seen off Alex and Daniel Tunstall 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the semis.

Alex and Tunstall triumphed over Clifton and Brookes 3-6, 6-3, 10-5 in the 3rd/4th place final.

“It’s been a great national championships,” said Beth. “Last summer, we won our mixed doubles league for the first time in a while, so I was hoping to do well. “I’m pleased to come away with three runners-up placings amid some strong competition.

“It’s the second year I’ve finished runner-up with Sophie in the women’s doubles and we played some good tennis.

“I was hoping Pete and I could defend our mixed doubles title, but it was such a close contest.”