Oxfordshire finals

THE OXFORDSHIRE Cup final will play second fiddle to league action tomorrow as holders Chinnor clash with Henley Hawks at Iffley Road (3.30.

Chinnor have understandably named a second team as they take on Redingensians in a crunch promotion clash on the same day.

Henley could have selected a first team, but have likewise opted for a largely second-strength side as they seek their first title since 2005.

With Oxfordshire finals day having been on a Sunday in recent seasons, such scheduling would have left Chinnor in a better position.

But suppporters should at least get a competitive match – even if the Chinnor contingent will have at least one eye on events in Reading!

Chinnor coach Martin Moran said: “I don’t think we start as favourites, but we are a confident squad and are playing consistently well.

“Our seconds are second in the Canterbury Shield, three points behind Richmond.

“We have had a hugely successful season, and a win in the final would top that off, although we still have three league games to play.”

Chinnor replacement prop Simon Matthews, also a former Henley player, is appearing in his tenth Oxon final.

Another replacement, former first-team captain Matt Hutchings, continues his return from long-term injury – as does prop Ian Stock.

Moran will be relaying news to Chinnor head coach Jason Bowers at Redingensians.

“Jason and I always text each other during games.,” he said. “We are pretty much in constant contact.”

Like Chinnor, Henley have largely kept faith with the second-teamers, who propelled them into the final.

They include 19-year-old hooker Ed Church, whose good run in the first team was ended by injury, plus fellow youngsters, 17-year-old centre Dylan Teasdale and No 8 Ben Ashmore, who is 18.

Balancing that out are veteran prop Rowan Fuller and wing Dave Knight, who is set to retire after the game.

Coach Andy Jones said: “Fixtures against Chinnor have never been one-sided and can be really physical contests. We are expecting a tough game.

“We were aware that Chinnor had a really big league game and we didn’t want to do anything unsporting with our selection.”

Chipping Norton face Gosford All Blacks in the Oxfordshire Shield final (12) chasing glory on two fronts.

Should Chippy take maximum points from their remaining two BB&O Premier Division games, they will add promotion to any spoils they can win tomorrow.

Favourites Chippy have a couple of injury doubts.

Coach Andy Dawson said: “We are doing quite well. It is a young side and they are starting to gel.”

Gosford coach Matt Watts resisted the temptation to pick himself after playing in some recent games.

He said: “It is a young man’s sport and the lads we have picked deserved their chance.

“We are underdogs, but we’ll give it some rattle. Don’t write us off yet.”

OXFORDSHIRE CUP

Chinnor: Woodhouse, Hillier, Green, Powell, T Corpe, Hopwood, Newman, Stock, Cawston, Ludgate, Blewitt, Devine, Vickers, M Williams, Rixon (capt). Reps: Matthews, Hackshaw, Angell, Hutchings, Lavin.

Henley Hawks: Haynes, Knight, Perry, Teasdale, Adamson, Lubbock, Gordon, Fuller, Church, Bigley, Thomas (capt), Nixon, Wells, Huggins, Ashmore. Reps: Eaton, Gibson, Middleton, Paxton, Wright.

OXFORDSHIRE SHIELD

Chipping Norton: Hall, Goffe, Flather, Nutt, Townsend, Jackson, King, Tustin, Warner, Holland, Corley, Stannard, House, Millard, Dawson. Reps from: Key, McAteer, Philips-Tebb, Davey, Jacobs, Beauchamp.

Gosford All Blacks: Ellis (capt), Newell, W Watts, Bennett, Bodinham, H Sutton, T Sutton, Brogan, Donnelly, Baughan, Parker, Stepney, D Hughes, West, Mason. Reps: Dimond, Heydon, Tyler, J Hughes, Holburn.