Quins' derby whets appetite

From the archive, first published Saturday 22nd Nov 2003.

Many of the players who helped Oxfordshire reach the County Plate final at Twickenham in May are in opposition when Oxford Harlequins meet Chinnor in an eagerly-awaited South West 1 clash at Horspath Road on Saturday.

Neither team have set the world alight this season but that does not diminish the anticipation felt by the players and members of both clubs for their first league meeting.

Chinnor, who had been hoping to switch the fixture away from World Cup final day, are nevertheless bringing a couple of coachloads of supporters for the derby.

One man who knows both teams better than most is the Chinnor coach, John Brodley, who was in charge of the Oxon team on their run to Twickenham.

Brodley has a high regard for several Quins players, including the Cope brothers.

"Anthony Cope shows an outstanding talent and could play two divisions higher as a sniping scrum half, while Jamie's a strong driving runner from the base of a scrum."

Brodley also mentioned the experience of lock forward Rob Dow and the dangerous running of Martin Nutt "who can score from anywhere."

Of his own club, who are in the wrong half of the table, Brodley said that Chinnor had been bedevilled by injuries behind the scrum.

These are beginning to clear up now, with Jon Brooks and Johnny David back in action, but Darren Oxley is not quite 100 per cent after a hamstring strain.

"We've been chasing the game too often this season, and you can't afford to keep giving sides starts," added Brodley

Quins, whose promotion from Division 2 last season set up this intrguing clash, have had the better start and stand fifth.