While Chinnor, who lead South West 2 East, seem set on a promotion course, several other of Oxfordshire's leading clubs are looking anxiously downwards, rather than expectantly upwards.

These include Henley, who although in seventh place in National League 1, have secured only four more points than 13th- placed Orrell, who occupy the second relegation position.

Hawks meet Waterloo at Blundellsands tomorrow, with a line-up that shows a couple of changes from that which lost at home to Otley in their last game.

Skipper Steve Barnes is fit after his battering in the Worcester game, while Justin Hendriksz is now free of duties for Oxford University and will be vying for the No 7 and No 8 positions with Mark Venner and Ali Metcalfe.

Werner van Pittius is also back from playing duties with the Blues either alongside South African colleague, Ric Van Zyl, or Duncan Roke who played well at outside centre against Otley.

Chinnor, themselves, will be without the unavailable Ben Thompson at fly half for their match at home to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Conor Begley switches from wing to half-back where he will partner scrum half James Walkinshaw, who is deputising for the injured John Vaughan.

Gary Woodburn returns at tight head in a strong-looking Chinnor pack.

Witney are already certain to be relegated from South West Division 2 East to Southern Counties North, where there are increasing concerns about Oxford Harlequins and Bicester.

Although both appear comfortably placed in mid-table, the tumbledown effect in which the three teams in the divison above seem to be coming down, means that as many as five or teams could drop down into Berks, Bucks & Oxon 1.

So Harlequins and Bicester could go down, while Oxford RFC, who are arguably not as strong as their Oxon neighbours, seem certain to come up from BB & O Division 1.

Bicester entertain fellow strugglers Buckingham tomorrow, both clubs having agreed to play, despite the outbreak of foot and mouth within three miles of the Bicester ground.

Harlequins travel to Phoenix, with Will Houston, John Moloney and Paul Browne added to the squad.

Banbury Bulls, safely placed in Midland 1, give 21-year-old Oxford University winger Brett Hopcroft his first league start at home to third-placed Broad Street.

Lock Simon Chatterton, prop Henk Hattingh, hooker Simon Brown, fly half Ben Harrison and full back Bruce Riddell all return.

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS

Henley Hawks (v Waterloo, away, 3): from Buoy, Rowland, Roke, Van Zyl, Van Pittius, Batty, Holloway, Jones, Ayres, Smaje, Hannon, Alvis, Phillips, Hall, Brett, Sampson, Winterbottom, Glossop, Barnes (capt), Venner, Hendriksz, Metcalfe.

Banbury Bulls (v Broad Street, home, 3): Riddell, Lalanne, Cartmell, Briggs, Hopcroft, Harrison, Purnell, Hattingh, Brown, Hobley, Chatterton, Phipps, Cummings, Brooks, Hughes. Rep: Ferguson, Wilkins, Cockerton.

Banbury Extra 1st (away to Chinnor 2nd, away, 3).

Banbury Lions (v Broad Street 3rd, home, 3).

Chinnor (v Stow-on-the Wold, home, 2.30): Cawston, D Cook, Brooks, Oxley, Jones, C Begley, Walkinshaw, Matthews, Jackson, Woodburn, Serdyn, Porter, Brown, M Cook, Hennessy. Reps: Clarke, Marr, Winpenny.

Chinnor 2nd (v Banbury 2nd, home, 3): Durrant, Farquhar, Price, Forward, Sellars, Warner, Ellis, Whelan, Sheerin, Wilkinson, Daly, G Davies, Fennell, M Bailey, Fincken.

Chinnor 3rd (v Aylesbury Prison, away, 2).

Oxford Harlequins (v Phoenix, away, meet Horspath Rd 12.30) from: Molyneux, Simon Chadbone, Houston, Price (capt), Moloney, James, A Jones, Nye, A Cope, Penney, Steve Chadbone, Boreham, J Cope, Pooler, G D Jones, Lennon, Rudd, Browne.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Phoenix 2nd, home, meet Horspath Rd, 1.30).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Phoenix 3rd, away, meet Horspath Rd, 12.45).

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v West London 4th, away, meet Horspath Rd, 12.45).

Gosford All Blacks (v Henley Wands, home, meet 1.15): S Dee, Smith, Hand, D Gee, Webb, Glithero, Lowe, Heskin, Fifield, M Lambert, Hichens, Bartlett, Woods (capt), Beesley, Mallaghan.

Gosford AB 2nd (v Henley Wands 2nd, away, meet 12.45): Budden, Smith, Busby, Wheater, Greek, Alcraft, Croft, Nichols, Strong (capt), Briggs, Higgs, Benito, Dann, Beesley, Dawson.