OXFORD Harlequins can redeem their season with victory over old rivals Chinnor in Sunday’s main final at Iffley Road (3.30).

That is the view of Quins director of rugby John Brodley, whose side finished a below-par tenth in National 3 South West.

Having won both their league clashes this season, holders Chinnor will be favourites to complete a hat-trick.

However, the two last times they have faced Quins in Oxfordshire rugby’s showpiece match – 2004 and 2008 – the Oxford club ran out winners.

Brodley said: “From our point of view, victory will make our season, which has been disappointing in the league.

“I think we go into the game somewhat as underdogs after losing twice to them this year, which will probably suit us.

“We know that we can play some scintillating rugby at times, but we also know we are capable of allowing the opposition to score as we saw last Saturday.

“We are really looking to impose our game on them.”

With Australian Jeff Stewart away, Quins will look to young fly half Joey Todd to provide their tempo and maintain his good kicking form.

Up against him will be Chinnor’s experienced No 10 James Cathcart, who was named man-of-the-match in last year’s 72-0 demolition of Witney.

Quins have named star attacking duo Martin Nutt and Xavier Andre in the centres and their battle with Chinnor’s Matt Goode and Sam Angell could prove crucial to the outcome.

Brodley added: “I think there is a contrast of styles.

“The two league games have shown that we should have a really entertaining match.

“There is no real excuse for not handling well and I’m sure both sides will want to play with some ambition.”

Chinnor head coach Jason Bowers said two or three of his players faced late fitness tests, but he was keeping their identity under wraps.

“The weather forceast for the weekend is fantastic and both teams are scoring a lot of points.

“We have scored 40 or more in the last few weeks at home and Quins are dangerous from almost every facet of play.

“We will be expecting a fantastic game of rugby.

“We have got two good wins against them, but that just reverses what happened last year in the league.”

Unlike in 2009 when Quins hammered Banbury and last year when Chinnor battered Witney, Bowers expects a tight clash.

“There certainly won’t be a big swing one way or another,” he said.

“The strange thing will be that the players will be going at it hammer and tongs on Sunday and then will be playing together for Oxfordshire the following weekend.”

Chinnor: Hopwood, Morgan, Goode, Angell, R Williams, Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny (capt), Cawston, Pickett, Jackman, Smith, Vickers, Harrison, Mowbray. Reps: Stock, Stennings, Hastings, Green, Chase.

Oxford Harlequins: Crapper, Jones, Andre, Nutt, Burn, Todd, Cope, Chadbone (capt), Clark, Barlow, Boyle, Purchase, Newman, Young, Welburn. Reps: Eckert, Edney, Smart, Maspero, Noyce.