Matthews steps in

From the archive, first published Saturday 6th Mar 2004.

Chinnor will be hoping that the naming of Simon Matthews as captain will tilt the balance in their favour when they face familiar rivals Henley Alliance in the Oxfordshire Cup semi-final at Kingsey Road on Sunday (2.30pm).

The 35-year-old loose head prop, who played his formative rugby for Henley and originally announced his retirement last season, has been chosen to lead Chinnor for this one game, in the absence of regular skipper James Borgnis.

"I think having Simon as captain is the right choice for this game," explained Chinnor coach John Brodley. "He has enormous experience and is respected by Henley."

Borgnis is in New Zealand, so his place in the second row goes to South African Arnoldus Du Toit Serdyn, who has returned to the club for the second half of the season.

The other first-choice player missing is full back Alan Cawston, who has not recovered from a nasty gash to the head. Darren Oxley switches to full back, with Tom Wood coming into the centre.

This is the fifth year running that the clubs have met at this stage - all the previous games having been at Henley.

Last season, Henley, who field their second team for this tournament, won a close contest 23-17 and went on to beat Oxford Harlequins in the final.

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