North Oxford maintained their unbeaten run in Men's Division 1 of the OLTA Wilson Inter-Club 3-Pair League - but were given a scare by Wood- stock.

The defending champions needed to win two of the final round of matches in order to ensure victory, and maintain their place at the top of the table.

But they did just that, with their third pair of Robin Ashby and Kate Calnan proving the match-winners.

The duo won all three rubbers - despite being listed as the worst pair in the North Oxford side - as their side edged to victory.

North's first pair of John Loosemore and Vicky Jewson could collect just a half, as Woodstock almost pulled off a shock win.

Manoj Gujral and Liz Walls collected two rubbers at first pair, but their teammates fell just short.

A close encounter at Bicester saw the home side draw 4 -4 with Goring.

But the visitors may face a fine from the league committee after their first pair, David Williams and Nikki Reid, lost all three rubbers - two of them in convincing defeats.

It was Goring's second pair of Michael Toyer and Sarah Beer that starred, winning two-and-a-half rubbers, with the third couple of Alex Webster and Sue Taylor picking up two wins.

In Ladies Division 1, an under-strength Oxford Sports pulled off a gutsy win at Banbury West End in ridiculously hot temperatures.

There was little between the sides, but Sports were grateful to their stand-in third pair of Caroline Good and Holly Hoare for collecting two crucial wins.

Cressida Henderson and Karey Coltart also won two, with Maggie Edwards and Jane Westell collecting one-and-a-half.

In the 2-Pair League, Cholsey's second pair of Ross Stickland and Carmella Liverton earned their side a 3-1 victory over Oxford Sports in Mixed Division 1.

Needing to win the last rubber of the day, the Cholsey duo were forced to dig deep in order to win the deciding third set 8-6 against Steve and Clare Roberts.

RESULTS

3-PAIR LEAGUE

Ladies Div 1: Banbury West End 3 , Oxford Sports 5 . Div 3: Woodstock C 2, Oxford Sports C 7.

Men's Div 4: North Oxford G 4 , Oxford Sports C 4 .

Mixed Div 1: Woodstock 3 , North Oxford 5 ; Thame 4, Oxford City 5; Bicester 4 , Goring 4 . Div 2: Banbury 7 , North Oxford C 1 , North Oxford B 8, Oxford City C 1. Div 3: Bicester B 3 , Banbury B 5 .

2-PAIR LEAGUE

Men's Div 1: Kingston Bagpuize 2 , Cholsey 1 .

Mixed Div 1: Abingdon 4, Wantage 0; Oxford Sports 1, Cholsey 3. Div 2: Colston 2, Southfield 2; Wantage B 3 , Benson B ; Cholsey B 3, Kings Sutton 1; Oxford Sports B 3 , Faringdon Div 3: Watlington 2 , Abingdon B 1 ; Phyllis Court 2, Goring 2; Benson C 1, Brackley 3; Abingdon C 3 , Banbury . Div 4: Wheatley 3, Abingdon D 1; Banbury West End 4, Wantage C 0; Banbury B 1 , Oxford Sports C 2 ; Watlington B 2, Mapledurham 2. Div 5: Warborough 3, Southfield B 1; Mapledurham B , Bicester 3 .