Rugby: Harlequins now facing acid test

From the archive, first published Friday 29th Oct 2004.

OXFORD Harlequins put their four-game winning streak to the test when they travel to unbeaten South West 1 leaders Cinderford tomorrow.

After a slow start to the season, Quins looked as though they might face another season of struggle at this level, but they have turned it around in great fashion.

However, Quins will have exceed all expectations if they conquer Cinderford in their own back yard.

Lock Elliott Stephenson's knee injury was not as serious as first thought, and so Louis Eggar and Ben Brusch, both in possession in last week's game, will also have competition from Lee Pearce.

No 8 Paul Nye has a minor leg injury, while there is a doubt about winger Elio Recchia's injury and Dave Boreham's muscle strain.

With Chinnor skipper James Borgnis losing his fitness battle, prop Simon Matthews takes over the captaincy for their home game against Cornish side Penryn.

He is joined in the front row by Jo Winpenny and Dave Goddard. Craig Burroughs and Mat Hutchins fill the lock positions.

The Cornishmen beat Bridgwater at home last week by the odd point in 41, despite two of their front row spending time in the sin bin.

It seems to be early in the season to be referring to games as possible relegation pointers, but Henley Hawks' game at Nottingham in National League 1, with both teams in the lower reaches, could be just that.

Henley welcome back James Winterbottom, who missed the defeat by Bristol Shoguns, while it is hoped that hooker Jonny Barrett will not be required by London Wasps for their game in Italy against Calvisano.

Gosford All Blacks, still smarting from last week's narrow defeat by local rivals Oxford, are again without skipper Kris Wadley through injury for the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division trip to Thatcham. TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS Henley Hawks (v Nottingham, away) from: Johnstone (apt), Barrett, Hopcroft, Fuller, Grierson, Winterbottom, Green, Park, Venner, Holloway, Atkinson, Gates, Tamarua, Ulph, Davies, Obi, Tamati, Tibbott, O'Driscoll, Robinson, Ejikeme, Van Zyl, Reeves, Smaje.

Oxford Harlequins (v Cinderford, away, meet Horspath Rd, 11.45am): from Ralph, Chadbone, DeLange, Houston, Stephenson, Eggar, Brusch, Pearce, J Cope (capt), Borowski, Dixon, Nye, Baxter, A Cope, Aven, Noyce, Pooler, Searle, Mawle, Greenwood, Recchia, D Boreham.

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Chinnor 3rd, away, meet Horspath Rd, 1).

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Harwell 2nd, home meet Marston Ferry Rd, 1.30).

Chinnor (v Penryn, home, 2.30): Major, Ward; Oxley, Shaw, McIvor, Cathcart, Jacobs, Matthews (capt), Goddard, Winpenny, Burrows, Hutchins Thompson Martin, Winslade. Reps: Wilkinson, Milburn, Dollery.

Gosford All Blacks (v Thatcham, away, meet Stratfield Brake,12.15): Midgeley, Strong, Machin, Bartlett, Benito, Holburn, Strange, Franks, John, Wingfield Digby (capt), Buckingham, Lloyd, Grant, Marno, Borthwick.

Gosford All Blacks 2nd (v Olney2nd away, meet Stratfield Brake,12.15): from: Baughan, Woods, Davies, Phillips, Forget, Evans, Rees, Dawson, Neville, Hipkiss, Murray (capt), Potter, Rowley, Good, Holton. Porter, Ody, Scully.

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