Team manager Bob Gilkes believes Oxfordshire's Middleton Cup fate this summer could hinge on the result of their opening game against Berkshire at Banbury Central on Saturday (2pm).

Just three shots separated the two sides last year - and although Group 3A also featured Hampshire and Isle of Wight - it proved crucial as Berkshire went on to qualify from Group 3A and Oxon missed out.

"I think it depends very much on this first game," said Gilkes. "Last year the crunch game was against Berkshire and they beat us due to the brilliance of two skips - Robert Newman and Adrian Collins.

"They turned round Oxon heads time and time again, and they are both playing against us this year."

Oxfordshire have one new face in their Middleton Cup line-up in Martin Timms, who will bowl at No 3 in the rink skipped by Greg Moon.

He has been a regular for Warwickshire in the competition, but has now switched to Oxon, having joined Banbury Borough.

Oxfordshire: N Welsh, Ge Moon, A Ley, C Carpenter; K Holloway, B Lambourne, S Richens, G Lucas; J Philpott, I Henwood, M Timms, Gr Moon; S Timms, R Redford, R Buckett, A Prew; Re Clanfield, Ro Clanfield, B Sparkes, M Sykes; C Whitehead, N Lewis, M Charlett, H Watts. Res: S Claridge, J Gamage, R Hewson, M Nash.

Eight Middleton Cup players were in the Oxfordshire side, who beat Surrey 126-116 in their Homes Counties League opener at Banbury Borough last Saturday.

Oxon won on four of the six rinks with Calvin Carpenter's side of Shaun Claridge, Ian Whelpton and Gordon Roper recording the biggest success with a 27-10 victory.

Oxfordshire 126 (18pts), Surrey 116 (4) (Oxon rinks first) Rink 1: G Hooker, S Gilkes, R Hewson, H Watts 18; G Wallis, R Cushen, G Morgan, M Sigamoney 17.

Rink 2: M East, M Brain, R Redford, A Prew 15; P Sarrartt, D Candeland, J O'Leary, N Ross 33.

Rink 3: M Nash, G May, A Ley, M Sykes 18; R Corne, A Barclay, S Greenwood, P Chuter 27.

Rink 4: D May, C Weller, M Timms, Gr Moon 20; C Sewell, T Orr, G McDonagh, D King 15.

Rink 5: A McIntyre, K Alder, S Richens, G Lucas 28; D Homes, B Pederson, M McDonagh, M Sampson 14.

Rink 6: S Claridge, I Whelpton, G Roper, C Carpenter 27; J Burns, S Fishlock, F Dodd, A Howick 10.