PLAYERS from the county's top two rugby clubs - Henley and Banbury - dominate the Oxfordshire squad chosen for their warm-up friendly against Oxford University at Iffley Road tonight (7.30).

Eighteen members of the 25-strong squad come from these two clubs, even though the majority of Henley's promotion-chasing 1st XV are not available.

What is particularly pleasing is how Banbury have come 'on board' this season. A couple of years ago, the north Oxfordshire club showed some reluctance to assist the county.

The scheduling of the County Championship at the end of the league season has undoubtedly helped, as has the appointment of former Banbury scrum half Ray Shaw as team manager.

One of the new Banbury players in the squad is the former Witney back Lee Illott, who tried his luck with Northampton before moving recently to Bodicote Park.

Henley hooker Darren Cassidy is in the squad along with his brother Stuart, the Bicester scrrum half, who has recently recovered from injury.

Former Oxford Blue Ashley Tapper has been included, even though he is an injury doubt. The Bedford Athletic fly half is a former county captain.

The selectors have not appointed a captain yet and will not name tonight's skipper until shortly before the kick-off.

With former England fly half John Horton teaming up on the coaching side with Chinnor's John Brodley, there is a more professional approach. "They're certainly a happy band and seemed to enjoy the trainining," said the county's director of playing Ron Martin, after the latest session at Marston Ferry Road ground on Sunday, when 22 attended.

Oxfordshire, with a tough programme of matches, starting with a trip to last year's runners-up Cornwall at Camborne on Sunday April 4, are aiming to recruit some Oxford University players.

"I'm very keen for our players to make themselves available," said the Varsity's coach Steve Hill.

Big American lock Adam Russell and winger Nick Marsh have already expressed a willingness to play. Russell is in the Dark Blues team tonight, along with former Blue Ray Lehner.

Oxford Univ: K Shuman, J Stewart, C Pawson, J KInniburgh, A Mason, R Governey, D Grewcock, J Bothwell, N Edwards, R Lehner, A Russell, N Frew, M Mills, R Heaslip, T Miuchi.

Oxfordshire squad - Backs: B Brown, D Knight, R Potter, B Tubb, A Noyce (all Henley), L Illott, M Botten, W Brooks, T Hurst (all Banbury), S Cassidy (Bicester), A Tapper (Bedford Ath). Forwards: L Perkins, R Cockerton, R Callaway, S Chatterton, W Ansell (Banbury), G Walker, D Cassidy, R Walker, S Fleming (Henley), H McNeill (Reading), C Morgan (C Norton), L Blewett (Moseley), A Milburn (Chinnor), P Hennessy (Newbury).

Story date: Wednesday 03 March

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