Rugby
RUGBY UNION: It's crunch time
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| Chinnor's Richard Williams and Zane Winslade (left) had plenty of space against St Ives, but may find it tougher against Oxford Harlequins |
Chinnor coach Jason Bowers has urged his players to remain level-headed as they go for the South West 1 title against Oxford Harlequins on Saturday (3).
A draw will be good enough for Chinnor to secure an immediate return to National 3 South, but the derby clash promises to be a high-octane affair.
Bowers said: "We have got to put emotion to one side and just play the game.
"To be honest, I think they have got to be self-motivated. They have to understand the game and the intensity.
"They understand the prize and that's promotion, but there is only so much we can do as a coaching team.
"At home we have been an exceptionally strong side. We have scored lot of points against good sides.
"At home we seem to be able to play a little bit, but when we travel we seem to leave our confidence at home a bit.
"Last weekend was a good weekend away because it forced the squad to pull together after the cup final defeat.
"They all know that last week was the precursor to the main event.
"We need a much better performance than we have produced against Quins so far.
"I'm sure many people will have an ear on the score between Reading and Bracknell, but we just need to worry about ourselves.
"This week we just have to play how we know we can. We are picking from full strength."
Wing Martyn O'Mahony and prop Bob Baker return to the Chinnor squad.
Quins director of rugby Matt Maudsley said: "I think we've got the psychological upper hand at the moment.
"Even though we beat Chinnor in the cup final, there are still things we can put right.
"We can certainly identify where their strengths are and put into place a plan to stop them.
"We were tired at the end of the final and let them score another try and we don't want to do that this time.
"A lot of it will depend on how our team can cope with playing away from home.
"Having said that, we've really got nothing else to play for."
Quins have named the same squad as lost at home to Coney Hill last week, but Tom Johnson is likely to start.
An added incentive for them is that Australians Paddy Soper and Beau Wilson, New Zealander Dave Payne, and Irishman Phil Rowe are all playing their final matches before returning home.
Maudsley said: "They are four quality players who will want to leave on a high note."
Witney will look to end a disappointing Southern Counties North season on a high note when they host Amersham & Chiltern.
They have named a 19-man squad for the clash, which sees Amersham needing a win to have any chance of surviving.
Flanker Anthony Nightingale will captain promoted Bicester in their final BB&O Premier Divsion game at Phoenix.
Regular skipper Steve Risbridger and centre John Rollason are both on holiday, while Ross Kenny and Dan Spencer have work commitments.
Chinnor (v Oxford Harlequins, home): from Winpenny, Stennings, Bredenham, Whelan, Baker, Black, Hutchings, McGuire, Winslade, Rixon, Hastings, Gustafson, Cathcart, Oxley, Powell, O'Mahony, Seymour, Huxford, Williams.
Oxford Harlequins (v Chinnor, away, meet 1pm): from Aldous, Needham, DeLange, Eckert, Payne, Rowe, Gerber, Soper, A Cope (capt), F Jones, Noyce, Wilson, Johnson, Spottiswoode, Davies, H Jones, Chadbone, Sewell, Lynchsmith, Robinson.
Witney (v Amersham & Chiltern, home): from Wheater, L Collins, J Collins, J Lamb, Strutt, Monks, Elwood, H Lamb, G Campbell, Dore, A Copperwheat, Serle, Richens, Fowler, J Hicks (capt), Worrall, C Campbell, Cookson, Collis.
Bicester (v Phoenix, away): Ward, Leverton, Lewis, Nash, Rushworth, A Spencer, N Kenny, Shaw, Davies, Evans, Malins, W Morris, Kimber, Nightingale (capt), Linstrom. Reps: Walsh, Thurlow, Barnes.
Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Witney 2nd, away, meet Southern Bypass, 12.45pm).
Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Grove 2nd, home, meet, Southern Bypass, 1.15pm).
12:51pm Thursday 17th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Quins Supporter, Oxford on 5:37pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Its been another vintage season in the quality of players and coaches we've been lucky to be blessed with.
I wish the departing 4 players mentioned all the best for Saturday and afterward together with the whole squad and thank them for the great enteratinment and commitment they have given to the team and the Club.
Gubba Gubba Quins
Its been another vintage season in the quality of players and coaches we've been lucky to be blessed with.
I wish the departing 4 players mentioned all the best for Saturday and afterward together with the whole squad and thank them for the great enteratinment and commitment they have given to the team and the Club.
Gubba Gubba Quins
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