IC3 Home Counties Premier League: Henley skipper Mick Hilditch plays in their potential Division 1 title-clincher at home to Finchampstead, despite having been handed an eight-match ban last month.

Hilditch has appealed against the sentence, imposed by the league following his part in the on-field sledging incident with Radlett's Jim Chaudhry on August 14.

Both players were banned for eight matches, while the two clubs were docked 25 league points this season and 15 points from next season's campaign.

By appealing against his ban and next season's penalty, Hilditch is able to play in the biggest match in Henley's history.

But for the deduction of points, Henley would already be champions.

They now need just four points against Finchampstead to ensure they finish above second-placed Slough.

"Finch have nothing to play for, so we hope we can complete the job," said Hilditch.

"I had hoped that we would be appealing against this year's 25-point deduction, but the club have decided to let it be. So we've still got a little work to do."

Henley will be without Chris Ellison, who has broken a finger. He is replaced by Charlie Langley.

Banbury, who have shown the best form of any club in the second half of the season, can clinch second spot if they win at Slough.

Richard Kaufman's team have won five of the last six games, thanks in part to the excellent form of former England seamer Paul Taylor, who picked up seven wickets against Radlett, and the batting of Chris Smith.

Ollie Murrey, who has recovered from a broken knuckle, returns in place of Ian Adams, while Danny Harding takes over from Neil Megson behind the stumps.

Oxford will be fielding a very weakened side at High Wycombe, with four players - Pat Jobson, Ian Crosby, Adam Cook and Stewart Laudat - all attending weddings.

Skipper Rupert Evans is delaying selection until later today.

There was relief at Aston Rowant this week, when they heard that they would not be relegated from Division 2 West

Because the bottom two teams in Division 1 will go down to Division 2 East, only one club - Wokingham - will be relegated from the west divison.

"This is great news," said Rowant chairman Len Reid.

"Our young village team have performed well in a predominantly big town team league."

Thame are unchanged for their game at home to Burnham.

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

Henley (v Finchampstead, home): Hilditch (capt), Edwards, Allaway, A White, Taylor D White, Murphy, Mordt, Barber, Sana, Langley.

Banbury (v Slough, away): Kaufman (capt), Taylor, Smith, Tew, Haupt, Beck, Murray, Harding, Rorich, Phillips, Launder.

Thame (v Burnham): Brooks (capt), Parmar, Cook, L Merry, S Merry, Garsondia, Griffiths, Sellwood, Lachlan, Krol, Bhatt.