Home Counties Premier League

Title-chasing Oxford will not underestimate basement boys Falkland whom they visit in Division 1 tomorrow.

That is the view of captain Jason Harrison, who got an unexpected chance to see their opponents in action last week.

Oxford's rapid ten-wicket victory at home to Tring Park gave Harrison the chance to watch Falkland play at his former club High Wycombe.

"They are a better side than their league position suggests," said Harrison.

"We don't expect a game like last week, and will need to be fully focussed.

"We always said the last six games are where it happens, and we are now starting to put some form together.

"The confidence is high, and if we want it badly enough, and do the right things, we'll have a great chance of the title."

Adam Cook replaces Graham Charlesworth (unavailable) as the only change from the side that thrashed Tring.

Harrison said: "We had the performance of the season.

"We had been building up some really solid displays and on Saturday we hit our best form.

"Stuart Hole makes a big difference to our attack, as with him and Jack Brooks, we have two genuine opening bowlers."

While the club are appealing against a one-point deduction for slow over rate, Harrison said: "My main interest is in the points that we can gain."

Second-placed Banbury welcome back all-rounder Nathan Hawkes for their home game against High Wycombe, with Steve Beck dropping to the seconds.

They hope to be able to call on leading wicket-taker Paul Taylor after his groin injury.

Benji Hector's side are now just three points behind Oxford and 12 ahead of third-placed Radlett.

"With three games to go, there is still so much cricket to be played," said Hector.

"Anything can happen and the point gaps are nothing.

"We mustn't get too fussed about what other teams are doing."

Kidlington captain Dave Taylor is urging his players to fight until the end as they prepare for their trip to Basingstoke & North Hants in Division 2 West.

Taylor said: "I think Gerrards Cross need something like 16 points from the last three games to be safe and send us down.

"There's a couple of nails in the coffin already, but until it's mathematically impossible, we must still have hope.

"It would also be nice to creep off the bottom, and at least give ourselves a fighting chance."

Noel Pearson returns to the side after they had to play much of last week's match with ten men.

Kidlington were told at tea they could not continue with substitute fielder Mike Taylor as they had only written ten names on their team sheet.

Taylor said: "As far as I'm concerned, it was just ridiculous."

Sam Lachlan captains Thame Town at leaders Farnham Royal as Rob Brooks is getting married in the Caribbean.

Luke Merry and Joe Robinson are also unavailable, so Tom Hogan, Dan West and Chris Broughan come in.

Lachlan said: "Last week was a good draw as we were chasing the game from the start.

"We need one more win and we will definitely be safe."

Oxford (v Falkland, away): Harrison (capt), Cook, Laudat, Sharma, Porter, Crosby, St Hole, Hutcheson, Vainker, Brooks, R Evans.

(v High Wycombe, home): from Shirazi, C Smith, Haupt, Hector (capt), Noble, Si Hole, Ryan, Newhook, Hawkes, Taylor, Murrey, E Phillips, J Phillips.

(v Farnham Royal, away): Beard, Parmar, Bhatti, Higgs, Meredith, Lachlan (capt), Mitty, Hogan, West, Broughan Luxford.

(v Basingstoke & North Hants, away): Nawaz Ali, Shazad Rana, Howitt, Shahbaz Ali, Taylor (capt), Kitson, Jamil Faruq, Faisal Chaudhry, Liyanarachchi, Dredge, Pearson.