OXFORDSHIRE can boast the Boys Under 16 National Cup champions.

The Oxford Students/Cherwell side came from behind to beat West Midlands Black Country 3-2 in Kettering.

Made up of pupils from Cherwell School and St Gregory the Great Catholic School, the team recovered from a two-set deficit to triumph 22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 15-11.

Oxford’s outside hitter Jamie Raff was also named the most valuable player in under 16 category.

Team coach John Ballance hailed his students.

He said: “This was a well-deserved victory, but the boys had to dig deep to make it happen.

“It took us two hours and 15 minutes to turn things around.

“What came in handy in the final was our experience of competing against top opponents we had gained during two recent trips to Poland – the home of the world champions.”