Oxfordshire Shield

ALCHESTER head coach Chris Kimber stressed they will not underestimate Blue Boar in Sunday’s final (12).

Kimber’s men are strong favourites to retain the Shield, having already won the BB&O Premier Division title, while non-league Boar have found fixtures hard to come by.

But Kimber said: “We never understimate anyone. Anyone has got a chance to win on the day.

“We will be prepared for the game and are up for it. We have been able to focus on on cup games for a few weeks.

“This is the climax of the season for us. I just hope we have got the forward power to do the job.

“To finish our season at Iffley Road will be great.”

Alchester include Kimber’s three sons Luke, Dan and Garrick, while Pat Coogan comes in at inside centre.

Wing Andy Blacklock is their top try scorer with 15, while prop Sean Cooke and No 8 Joe McEneaney have managed 12 apiece.

Blue Boar, who are based at the pub in Longworth, include hooker Dave Needham, a four-time Oxfordshire Cup winner with Oxford Harlequins.

They are captained by veteran former Harlequins prop Martin Hobley, while wing Chris Whitfield is the son of replacement Geoff Whitfield.

Blue Boar secretary Brian Kentish said: “I expect they fancy winning it.”

He added: “Having appeared in three finals in the last four years, we are delighted and a little surprised to be once again in the limelight.

“We now have the opportunity to regain the trophy for 12 months and return it to the same resting place in the bar for another year.”

Boar reached the final on the “away team” rule after matching Gosford All Blacks on tries and conversions in their 29-29 semi-final draw at Stratfield Brake.

Kentish added: “The poor weather and the inevitable influence of the league programme have minimised our playing opportunities.

“We are possibly a little fortunate to find ourselves at Iffley Road once again.”

Alchester: Tyreman, Blacklock, Miles, Coogan, Robinson, Thompson, L Kimber, Brits, D Kimber (capt), Cooke, G Kimber, Dye, Byrne, Fawcett, McEneaney. Reps: Boyce, Harbottle, Beckley, Isidro, T Barnes.

Blue Boar: W Sandbach, C Whitfield, McHugh, M Davies, D Davies, Blanchard, Phillip, Lay, Needham, Hobley (capt), Chatterton, Jackson, Alder, Palmer, Moore. Reps: C Sandbach, Spencer, Tutt, G Whitfield, Morgan.