OXFORD Harlequins continue their remarkable bid to escape the South West 1 East relegation zone when they entertain Royal Wootton Bassett tomorrow (2pm), writes MICHAEL KNOX.

Quins’ 33-28 derby victory over Banbury last week was their fifth win in six games – a run that has taken them from the depths of the danger zone to within one point of safety.

Indeed, another success for skipper Allan Purchase’s side could see them rise five places into mid-table, so close are the teams bunched.

Prop Pete Boulton returns, while Pete Alston is back at No 8.

Guy Fairburn starts at scrum half, while the versatile Sam Watkinson switches back to fly half and Jack Crowe returns to the wing.

There is a mid-table derby clash between hosts Grove and Witney.

A victory for the visitors would make them strong favourites to finish as Oxon’s top dog in the division.

Henley Hawks’ director of rugby Nigel Dudding has taken steps to ensure they do not get dragged into the relegation battle in National 2 South by extending loan deals with three players from London Scottish until the end of the season.

All three are in the Hawks squad at home to Barnes.

Winger Ben Rath takes over from the unavailable Sam Portland, Connor Hayhow continues at centre while another winger, Matt Marley, is on the bench.

Skipper Dave Clements, who missed the 33-22 win against Canterbury, returns to the second row with David Hide reverting to No 6.

Wheatley will be without several first-team regulars as they seek to end a run of two successive defeats when they entertain Aldermaston in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship.

Meanwhile, Bicester will play Oxford University Greyhounds in the Oxfordshire Cup semi-final at Iffley Road on Sunday, with a noon

kick-off.

The winners will meet Banbury in the final at the same venue on Thursday, April 13.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Henley Hawks (v Barnes, home): O’Neill, Perry, Andre, Hayhow, Rath, Butler, Jackson, Manning, Emery, Montout-Alexis, Clements (capt), Albon, Hide, Lowe, Haynes. Reps: Hadfield, Philpott, Hall, Marley, Stevenson-Wright.

Oxford Harlequins (v Royal Wootton Bassett, home, 2pm): Van Dijk, Yeats, Robinson, Jenner, Crowe, Watkinson, Fairburn, Barlow, Tierney, Boulton, Neal, Purchase (capt), Milton, Ward, Alston. Reps: Davies, Ojo, Fisilau, Tynan, Farahani.

Witney (v Grove, away): Copperwheat, Merriman, Richens, Mortimer, Webb, Collins, Allen, C Campbell, G Campbell, Lewis, Morgan, Boshell, Lamb, Foggett, Lambourne, Burke, Bayliss, Fisk.

Wheatley (v Aldermaston, home, 2.15): from Acklam (capt), Mitchell, Gabbidon, Banton, Gibb, Bland, C Taylor, Atkinson, Jack Taylor, A Willis, Hillsdon, Hobdell, Joe Taylor, Fraser, Hook, Chadbone, Thomas, Rees, Belcher.