Rugby: Veteran Matthews back to lift Chinnor

From the archive, first published Saturday 25th Oct 2003.

Simon Matthews takes another step out of 'retirement' when he plays for Chinnor in their South West 1 game at Clifton tomorrow.

At the end of last season, the 35-year-old Oxfordshire prop announced he was going to retire to spend more time with his young family.

But after Chinnor's poor start to the season - they are bottom of the table - he has decided to return to the field of play.

"One of the reasons was that I wanted to play against Oxford Harlequins following their promotion to our division," he explained.

"I know Matt Maudsley and several players pretty well and it would be nice to play against them."

Matthews is still some way short of match fitness following the cancellation of last week's Intermediate Cup tie against Reading Abbey.

But for now, Matthews's attention is fixed on Clifton, where he will be trying to get 80 minutes under his belt and help Chinnor off the bottom.

Oxford Harlequins, meanwhile, will be seeking revenge at Reading, who knocked them out of the Powergen Cup earlier this season with a convincing victory.

Quins hope that prop Simon Chadbone and hooker Clark Lawfull will have fully recovered from injury.

Having been forced to concede last week's Intermediate Cup game against Whitchurch due to a crippling injury list, Banbury, nevertheless, hope to field a competitive team to face the formidable Loughborough Students at Bodicote Park in Midlands 2 East.

Utility back Barry Holloway is still out with a badly cut eye which allows former colt Dan Campbell to make his league debut on the wing.

Bulls are hoping that Oxfordshire centre Matt Goode will have recovered from leg injuries to take his place in the team.

Up front, Geoff Tuluhungwa is still missing, while South African Dave Burton continues in the front row.

Henley Hawks, reeling from a record defeat in either cup or league at Orrell in the Powergen Cup game last Saturday, continue their quest for National League 1 points at Coventry.

Injuries still plague the Hawks, but they hope that Steve Barnes, acting as skipper in the absence of Mark Venner, will be able to play at Coundon Road.

Jeremy Austin, the Hawks' Australian centre injured in the first game of the season, will also feature in the squad.

With Austin available, there will be a re-shuffle in the backs, with Ali James moving to the wing.

Oxford's declared aim to secure a promotion place in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Diviison 1 this season faces a crucial test when they entertain Chipping Norton, a club with similar ambitions.

The home side make three changes to their pack with newcomer Steve Sarle coming into the front row, Vince Curry returning at lock and Adam Viner joining brother Mark in the back row. TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS Henley Hawks (v Coventry, away): Davies, Obi, James, O'Driscoll, R Osman, Austin, McNair, Reeves, Ward, Smaje, Smye, Mitchell, Johnstone, Hamilton-Smith, Nicholas, Cooke, Hopcroft, Grierson, Winterbottom, Bramley, Hardy, Martin, Payne, Mansfield, Gates, Barnes (capt).

Chinnor (v Clifton, home, meet at 1.30): Cawston, David, Hewitt, Oxley, Westerman, Cathcart, Phillips, Matthews, Whelan, Weeks Pearson, Borgnis, Millburn, Seymour, Johnson, Fincken. Reps Harris, Wright, Kingdom.

Chinnor 2nd (v Camberley, away, meet, 12.30).

Banbury (v Loughborough Students, home): from Ferguson, Campbell, Goode, Papenfus, Taylor, Flemming, Purnell, Gilbert, Bannister, Burton, McNally, Jeyes, Brooks, Herlihy, Cummings, Dymond, Jackson, Allwood, Brown, Sewell.

Oxford (v Chipping Norton, home): MacLennan, Garratt, Griffiths, Skinner, Onions, Engwell, Smith, Walter, Gray, Sarle, Curry, Lockwood, MacDonald, A Viner, M Viner.

Oxford Harlequins ( v Reading, away, meet Horspath Rd, 12.15) from: Chadbone, Lawfull, Silversides, Stephenson,Moloney, Anderson, J Cope (capt), Nye, A Cope, Penney, Sims, Mawl, Graham, M Nutt, Boreham, McCluggage, Noyce, Mitchell, Brusch.

Oxford Harlequins Dev XV (v Reading 3rd, home, meet Horspath Rd, 1.15pm).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Newbury 4th, home, meet Horspath Rd, 1.30).

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Beaconsfield 3rd, away, meet Horspath Rd, 12.30).

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