EIGHT different clubs are represented in my Oxford Mail team of the season, with Chinnor providing four starters.

Oxford Harlequins may have underperformed in the league, but they supply three players, with Henley and Alchester offering up two each.

All players were judged against the level they compete at, so this is a ‘pound-for-pound’ line-up rather than a potential Oxfordshire side.

Here is why they were selected.

BACK THREE: Full back James Comben has scored more than 200 points for Henley Hawks and proved himself equally adept play-making from fly half.

Grove wing Harry Carr bagged a hat-trick of tries on his league debut aged just 17 and has gone from strength to strength since, topping the club’s scoring charts with 21.

Martin Nutt played more at centre, but was always dangerous in both positions. It was no coincidence that his return to the side saw Quins hit form before Christmas.

CENTRES: Matt Goode was an inspired signing for Chinnor, with his powerful running proving too much for many defences and yielding 17 tries.

Witney captain James Lamb was a rock in their defence, barely missing a tackle all season and led his side to a creditable fifth in South West 1 East.

HALF-BACKS: Henley Hawks’s Tom Allen gets the nod at fly half for his scoring prowess. A club best 17 tries was a fine return for the ex-Rotherham and Harlequins man.

Partnering him is Banbury’s Eddie Phillips, who replaced the injured Sean Bannister as captain. The determined and lively scrum half did not deserve to play in a relegated team.

FRONT ROW: Wallingford’s Kris Blaszko also saw his team relegated, but his all-round skills mean he retains his place in an unchanged front row from 2009-10.

Chinnor hooker Alan Cawston proved his worth in their Oxfordshire Cup final victory and was again Mr Reliable in the set-piece.

Alchester’s Sean Cooke scored an impressive 12 tries from tight head and was a dominant physical force in the tight and loose.

SECOND ROW: Oxford Harlequins lock Allan Purchase grew in stature after earning a regular spot and could become a real enforcer.

Chinnor second row Andy Smith provides the experience to Purchase’s youth. He hardly put a foot wrong all season, showing the skills that saw him play at Championship level.

BACK ROW: Adam Hastings impressed in all three back-row positions during a strong season for Chinnor that also included time as an emergency centre.

At openside flanker, former Bradford & Bingley man Joe Fawcett added pace, vision and great positional sense to Alchester’s BB&O Premier Division winning team.

Oxford Harlequins No 8 Jason Welburn edges out Alchester’s Joe McEneaney due to his superb consistency.

Whether his side were on top or under pressure, Welburn could be relied upon.