Rugby: Oxon back move to expand county cup

From the archive, first published Wednesday 20th Apr 2005.

Chinnor's director of rugby Lynn Evans has called for the expansion of the Oxfordshire Cup into a three-counties com- petition.

Speaking after seeing his side beaten 20-18 in Saturday's Oxon Cup final at Iffley Road, Evans said that the competition had become a bit too predictable.

"At the moment, is difficult to see any more that three Oxfordshire clubs (Henley), Chinnor and Oxford Harlequins) winning the cup - and that could lead to a lack of interest.

"I would like to see clubs from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire brought in to create greater competition."

He is referring to Berkshire clubs Newbury and Reading, although it is hard to see any of the current Bucks teams providing added interest.

Evans would envisage the final being held at Iffley Road - "the best ground in the three counties".

His proposal has met with a measure of support from the Oxfordshire RFU.

Bill Allen, chairman of their competitons sub-committee, said: "We've floated this idea with Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, but not yet had any positive response.

"In any case, it won't happen next season."

Henley's Oxon Cup success, inspired a by a man-of-the match performance by No 8 Dave Archer, who scored two tries, was a record 11th in the competiton, overtaking Ox- ford's ten.

There were suggestions afterwards that it might be Hawks' last season in the cup, pending their new director of rugby John Lambden's plans for next season.

He might choose not to run a second team, which under competition rules would prevent the Thames-side club entering the cup.

But Lambden has yet to announce his policy for the Hawks' 2005-6 campaign.

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