CHARLIE Brain has called on his Shipton-under-Wychwood players to step up to the challenge of facing Division 2 title challengers Horspath.

The west Oxon side bid to bounce back from last week’s 108-run defeat to Amersham in the Home Counties Premier League.

While skipper Brain is still out with damaged ligaments in his foot, Shipton are boosted by the return of Shaun Cross (knee).

And Brain is backing his side to deliver at home to second-placed Horspath.

“They are a pretty strong team, but not unbeatable,” he said.

“It is a game we always have to raise ourselves for.

“We are not scoring so many runs, but Joe (Barrett) and Calvin (Dickinson) are getting shedloads for the county 2nd team.

“If those two have a good day we will get hundreds.

“And with Pam (Sanklecha), he is probably the best seamer in the league, he can bowl teams out on his own.”

Opener Craig Wood returns and seamer Matt Brown comes in.

Jason Hunt drops down to the 2nd XI, Ian Lewis is on holiday and George Seacole has played his last game ahead of the start of the football season.

Horspath seamer Patrick Foster expects nothing less from Shipton.

And he is looking forward to what could be a thrilling last six weeks of the season, with 17 points covering the top three.

He said: “It’s great, it is what you want.

“There is still a long way to go and there will be some big swings.

“Shipton are a very talented side on paper and we have got to be on top of our game.”

Horspath make four changes, with Asad Rafiq, 17, set for his debut, replacing Jehan Mohammed.

Captain Will Eason is back from holiday, Robbie Eason returns after the birth of his son, and wicket-keeper Jasper Davies is named in the XI.

They come in for Harrison Ward (rested), Jimmy Phillips (unavailable) and Milly Faruq, who drops down to the 2nd team.

Mike Higgs is under no illusions of the importance of Thame Town’s trip to basement boys Cookham Dean.

Nine points and one place separate the sides and captain Higgs, who names an unchanged side, said: “It is a must-win game.

“We have to beat Cookham Dean to get the fight going and the ball rolling in terms of getting back to winning ways.”

Leaders Oxford make one change for their trip to Buckingham Town.

All-rounder Harry Stephens returns (back) to replace Mark Beer.

Oxford extended their advantage to 15 points after last week’s win over Aston Rowant.

Captain John Barrett said: “It was a great performance and we’re hoping to continue our form this week.”

Aston Rowant bid to end a three-match winless run when they host Gerrards Cross.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Shipton (v Horspath, home): Barrett, Hole, Dickinson, C Miller, Sanklecha, Perkin, S Miller, Carvey, Cross, Wood, Brown.

Horspath (v Shipton, away): Stead, Raja, Ali, Green, Foster, Price, Belcher, W Eason, R Eason, Rafiq, Davies.

Oxford (v Buckingham Tn, away): Alam, Perera, Eltham, Munsey, Barrett, Mendis, Clough, Simon, Muir, Fallah, Stephens.

Thame Tn (v Cookham Dean, away): Thomas, Taylor, Sutcliffe, Beard, Garg, MacDonald, Higgs, Mushtaq, Phippen, Rooney, Lachlan.