Chinnor coach Jason Bowers says they remain confident as they fight for their lives in National 3 South.

Bowers’s men lie just one point above the releagtion zone ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Rugby Lions (2.30).

It looks like being a mighty scrap at the bottom with Worthing, Bridgwater & Albion and Lydney who pipped Chinnor last week in the thick of it.

Bowers said: “It would have been nice to have the cushion of a win last week.

“We always knew we had to win more than one game in this period, but now we have got to win two of the last three.

“I know the staff and the players are confident we can do this.”

Oxford Blues Bert Payne, Peter Wright and Chris Mahony return after the Oxbridge tour in Japan.

Hooker Arthur Ellis is fit despite hobbling off with a knee injury against Lydney.

Bowers said: “It is good to have the university boys back to give us extra choice.

“We are certainly playing better than when we lost to Rugby at home in December.

“And we will take some encouragement from recent results. Rugby Lions are far from infallible.”

He added: “Some of the other sides will have the pressure having to chase us. If we can get the points on the board, that is a better position to be in.”

Henley Hawks face the unenviable task of denying big-spending London Scottish the title when they visit the Athletic Ground tomorrow.

A bonus-point victory will ensure Scottish cannot be overhauled at the top, but Henley can at least point to a competitive 19-9 defeat at Dry Leas in December.

James Gaunt returns at scrum half, while Jack Shaylor is doubtful with a sore shoulder.

Lock Shaun English is back from university and on-loan hooker James Clark should also be available.

Andy Noyce comes in on the wing as Oxford Harlequins visit Coney Hill in South West 1.

Noyce replaces Ollie Campbell as John Brodley rotates his squad, while back-row forward Ben Nicholl is on the bench after his travels in Australia.

Brodley said: “We are preparing for the county cup final, but there are two important league games to go.

“There is a freshness in the squad. Everybody is training well, which is really good news. It is very encouraging for next year.”

Wallingford will look to build on a comprehensive derby victory over Henley Wanderers when they host Bletchley in South West 2 East.

Captain Kris Blaszko returns at prop as does Henry Venners at full back, so Angus Brettell moves to the wing.

Wallingford coach Chris Norrington said: “Last week was a very strong performance.

“This is another home game, where if we perform as well as we can, we should win.”

Prop Matt Brocklebank comes into the Witney squad as they host Beaconsfield in Southern Counties North.

A Witney victory would be a major boost for Bicester, who are battling Beaconsfield at the foot of the table.

Chinnor (v Rugby Lions, away): from Whelan, Winpenny, Baker, Stock, Ellis, Stennings, Eckert, Hutchings (capt), Payne, Jackman, Jackson, Millburn, Hastings, Wright, M Williams, Prescott, Hewitt, Cathcart, Oxley, Powell, Serrano, Shiel, R Williams, Mahony.

Henley Hawks (v London Scottish, away): from Davies, Haynes, Portland, Baggett, Flammia, Fulton, Wells, Gaunt, Fuller, Milford-Scott, Tattersall, Penny, Hoosen-Owen, Clements, Green, English, Hennings, Dupee, Williams, Payne (capt).

Oxford Harlequins (v Coney Hill, away, meet Southern Bypass 12noon): H Jones, Sevier, Lombard, Cope, Noyce, Forth, Sewell, Chadbone (capt), Rudman, Boulton, Gray, McDowell, Davies, Young, Pearson. Reps: M Edney, Nicholl, Campbell.

Wallingford (v Bletchley, home): Venners, Brettell, Collett, Holton, R Turner, Sayce, Viljoen, Blaszko (capt), Hill, Keable, Lewis, Rowberry, McKenna, Chapman, D Jenkins. Reps: Payne, Jeffrey, Dearlove.

Witney (v Beaconsfield, home): from Mitchem, Strutt, Gouldie, J Lamb, Tustin, Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Serle, Brocklebank, Groeblar, Richens, J Hicks (capt), Fowler, Bennett, Muller, C Campbell, Rowles.

Gosford All Blacks (v Newbury Stags, home, meet 1.30pm): Stewart, Jefferies, Sutton, Thiele, T Ellis, Holburn, Sheppard, Brogan, Baughan, Midgely, M Burbidge, Stepney, Hughes (capt), Griffin, Beesley. Reps: Strong, Glithero, Eynon.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Marlow 2nd, home, meet Southern Bypass, 1pm).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Maidenhead 3rd, away, meet Southern Bypass 12.30pm).