Rugby: Young Oxon can get off to a flier

From the archive, first published Friday 25th Apr 2003.

Oxfordshire have picked a young side, leavened with experience, for their opening Tetley's Bitter County Shield game against Buckinghamshire at Chinnor tomorrow (3pm).

While skipper Paul Hennessy and his fellow 30-plus Chinnor forward Simon Matthews should provide a solid platform, there's plenty young talent - both in the starting line-up and on the bench - to turn that possession into points.

There will be much interest in the youthful centre partnership of Matt Goode and Johnny David, while Brett Hopcroft and the versatile Andy Noyce provide pace on the wings.

Behind them is full back Dave Boreham, who was Oxford Harlequins' leading try-scorer in their successful league campaign.

There was a late call-up this week for Banbury second row Matt McNally, while Chinnor prop Mark Weekes-Pearson pulled out of the squad through injury.

With six Chinnor men in the starting line-up and four more - plus former player Ed Walsh - on the bench, Oxon will feel at home at Kingsey Road.

This Oxon side, boosted by the likes of Darryl Griffin (NEC Harlequins) and James Wilcox-Jones (London Welsh), should prove too strong for a Bucks outfit, shorn of Aylesbury players due to the end-of season league play-offs.

John Brodley, the Oxon coach, is aiming to play an expansive game. "We hope to win lots of ball and then attack with pace" he said.

Oxon's other group game is against Dorset & Wilts at Swanage on Saturday, May 10.

Oxfordshire (Chinnor unless stated): D Boreham (Oxford Harlequins), A Noyce (Banbury), J David, M Goode (Banbury), B Hopcroft (Henley), D Oxley, G Phillips, S Matthews, T Nicholas (Henley), R Harris, M McNally (Banbury), S Chatterton (Oxford Harlequins), D Griffin (NEC Harlequins), J Wilcox-Jones (L Welsh), P Hennessy (capt). Reps: M Nutt (Ox Harlequins), E Walsh (Canterbury), J Winpenny, T Whelan, A Milburn, T Johnson, J Cope (Ox Harlequins).

HENLEY Hawks complete their National League 2 campaign tomorrow, when they visit Newbury, who must win if they are to be certain of avoiding relegation.

Hawks, having secured promotion, add Ben Ayres and Sean Hardy to the squad.

Henley Hawks (v Newbury, away, 3): Davies, Obi, R Osman, Van Zyl, James, Reeves, Smaje, Fuller, Gibbons, A Hopcroft, Winterbottom, Martin, Atkinson, Venner (capt), Mortimore. Reps: Cooke, Bramley, Barnes, Ayres, Hardy.

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