Rugby: Chinnor forced to ring the changes

From the archive, first published Friday 10th Oct 2003.

CHINNOR have selection problems behind the scrum for their trip to Cinderford tomorrow in Powergen South West Division 1.

With Johnny David failing a fitness test, veteran Tim Wright takes over in the centre, and James Hewitt moves to full back in place of Nick Tapins, who is out with a shoulder injury.

A big bonus up front is the return of Simon Matthews at loose head against a formidable Cinderford pack.

Another change in the front row is the return of Tom Whelan at hooker. He comes in for the unfortunate Mike Cook, who had to go off before half-time last week with a badly torn hamstring.

Andy Milburn comes into the second row, with Ed Rixon making his first start in place of Paul Finchen.

Oxford Harlequins entertain Keynsham in South West 1 at Horspath Road when they will be out for revenge, having lost the only previous meeting between the clubs in last year's Intermediate Cup.

Quins went down lost 14-6 away in a hard-fought game.

Simon Chatterton comes back into the reckoning for a place in the second row, while newcomer Nick Goodfellow is bidding for a back row spot.

Injuries are a worry for Banbury ahead of their vital Midlands 2 East game away to fellow strugglers Northampton Old Scouts.

Full back Duncan Ferguson, scrum half Simon Purnell, hooker Sean Bannister and second row Richard Jeyes are doubtful.

On the plus side, prop Andy Gilbert came through last week's defeat by Newark, and fellow prop South African Dave Burton makes his debut, after his registration finally came through.

Paul Jackson is on stand-by to replace Purnell.

Henley Hawks are not expected to make many changes for tomorrow's National League Division 1 game at home to Wakefield as the players with long-term injuries Rik Van Zyl, Mark Venner and Jeremy Austin are still out of action.

Head coach Nigel Dudding is looking to select from the squad that beat Newbury in the Powergen Cup, but has added three forwards to the list.

Lock Tom Radbourne has finished his two-week suspension, James Street is a possible cover for the back row and young Andy Grierson comes into the squad for the first time.

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS

Chinnor (v Cinderford, away): from Hewitt, White, Wright, Oxley, Westerman, Cathcart, Phillips, Matthews, Whelan, Weeks Pearson, Borgnis, Milburn, Seymour, Rixon, Johnson. Reps: Harris, Huhchinson, Deeley.

Oxford Harlequins (v Keynsham, home, meet Horspath Road 1pm): from S Chadbone, C Lawfull, J Silversides, S Mitchell, E Stephenson, J Moloney, S Chatterton, J Cope (capt), S Baxter, P Nye, N Goodfellow, A Cope, C Penney, E Recchia, N Smith, C Mawle, B Graham, M Nutt, M Sims, D Boreham.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd: (v Marlow 2nd, home, meet Horspath Road 1.15).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd: (v Camberley 4th, away, meet Horspath Road, 12.30).

Oxford Harlequins 4th: (v Wheatley 2nd away, meet Horspath Road, 1.15).

Henley Hawks: (from) Davies, Mitchell, Obi, O'Driscoll, James, R Osman, McNair, Reeves, Ward, Smaje, Johnstone, Fuller, Hamilton-Smith, Gibbons, Hopcroft, Grierson, Winterbottom, Bramley, Radbourne, Barnes (capt), Street, Gates, Martin, Payne, Hardy.

Oxford (v Milton Keynes, away): McLennan, Garratt, Floch, Skinner, Gibson, Engwell, Smith, Walter, Gray, Hubain, Lockwood, Neal, MacDonald, A Viner, M Viner. Reps: Griffiths, Sarle, Bevan.

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