HORSPATH skipper Will Eason admits his side’s chances of avoiding relegation are “very, very slim”.

Horspath go into the final match of the Division 1 season trailing tomorrow’s rivals Great & Little Tew by 16 points.

To have any chance of retaining their top-flight status, Eason’s side must not only win the match, but also restrict their Oxfordshire rivals to no more than four points.

And while aware it is unlikely, he says they will give it a go.

“We know we only have a very, very slim chance of pulling off the great escape,” Eason commented.

“But while there is a chance, we have to believe we can do it.

“However, it all comes down to us not playing well enough in the second half of the season.”

He added: “Winning a match in this league is hard enough, but having to win and restrict your opponents to a minimal amount of points makes it even harder.”

Horspath make one change, with Jamil Faruk replacing Asad Rafiq.

Tew skipper Harry Smith says his side will not alter their approach in a bid to secure safety.

They missed an opportunity last week when losing by 14 runs to fellow strugglers Tring Park having bowled their rivals out for just 123, and the captain is demanding an improvement.

“It’s in our hands and we’ll treat it the same as any game,” he said.

“Last week was rubbish. We maybe got a bit complacent – but it can’t happen again.”

Oxford will bid to secure the runners-up spot when they travel to Banbury.

Arthur Muir comes in for Tom Partridge with skipper John Barrett looking for a positive end to the season.

“We would have taken second at the beginning of the season, we’ve got to be pretty happy,” he said.

Banbury make three changes with Richard West, Ollie Wright and Will Hawtin coming in for Ed Phillips, Will Briggs and Josh Megson.

“Considering we lost five senior players from last year, we have had a good season,” said captain Lloyd Sabin.

“We have definitely missed some opportunities to finish higher, but we’ve a young side who have got some experience under their belt and will be much better next season.”

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Horspath (v Great Tew, away): Coleman, R Eason, Jefferson, Cosford, Green, W Eason, Skelton, Slatcher, Faruk, Cardy, Belcher.

Great & L Tew (v Horspath, home): Smith, White, Garrett, Woodward, Lloyd Brock, Adams, Harris, Thomas, Lawrence Brock, T Price, O Price.

Oxford (v Banbury, away): Tong-Jones, Eltham, Perkin, Ayub, Barrett (capt), Mendis, Simon, Fallah, Musk, Humphreys, Muir.

Banbury (v Oxford, home): Sabin (capt), Haupt, Clarke, Hill, Wilkins, Taylor, Cheema, Curtis, West, Wright, Hawtin.

THAME Town skipper Michael Beard says his side will be solely focused on their own game ahead of a top-of-the-table showdown with Aston Rowant.

The sides occupy the top two places in Division 2, with visitors Rowant last week securing promotion back to the top flight.

They need just five points to wrap up the title, but Thame know they must win to ensure they finish as runners-up, with Chesham just nine points back in third.

“We didn’t expect to be in this situation at the start of the season, so we’ll just enjoy it,” said Beard.

“There is no way Rowant will take their foot off the gas, they will want to end a terrific season on a high.

“We cannot rely on Buckingham beating Chesham, so it is up to us to try to win the game.”

Thame make two changes with Will Rooney and Adam Phippen coming in for Harry Thomas and Jimmy Adams.

Shipton-under-Wychwood sign off with a trip to relegated Great Brickhill, with Harry Davies and Andy Hemming coming in for Steve Carvey and Ben Norgrove.

“It would be nice to sign off with a win – that would take us to 200 points,” said skipper Charlie Brain.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Thame Tn (v Aston Rowant, home): C Russell, Sutcliffe, Beard, Straughan, Mushtaq, A Russell, Kanishka, Higgs, Jeffcock, Phippen, Rooney.

Shipton (v Great Brickhill, away): Hemming, Wood, Hole, C Miller, Sanklecha, Cross, Lewis, Brain, S Miller, Harris, Davies.