Rugby: Chinnor eye historic March

From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Mar 2006.

CHINNOR coach John Brodley says they cannot underestimate the importance of the next month, starting with tomorrow's South West 1 trip to Oxford Harlequins (2.30).

The league leaders' clash with the only team to have beaten them in 2006 should be a high-octane affair, but Chinnor will have little respite afterwards.

Brodley said: "We've got everything to play for and we've been training for this for the last two weeks. Our hopes are still to make National 3.

"At the end of the day, this is the biggest month in the club's history, no matter how much I try to play it down.

"We've got Weston to play twice and Basingstoke as well."

Paul Hennessy returns at No 8, so Raakai Maxwell moves to flanker and Ed Rixon drops to the bench.

Winger Eric Brown faces a fitness test on his injured hamstring, so Jamie Hiscock is set to start.

Brodley said: "Young Jamie Hiscock is such a good finisher.

"He has scored three or four tries already and I'm really pleased for the lad.

"It doesn't concern me if he is playing and Eric is not. He has burst on to the scene from our academy."

He added: "Oxford Harlequins must be on a massive high after beating Weston and reaching the county cup final.

"There is absolutely no way that we'll take them lightly, especially after they beat us in the cup."

Quins' scrummaging will be weakened by the absence of prop Paul DeLange, who is having a minor operation.

DeLange has been in good form this season and Quins can expect a much-improved forward effort from Chinnor after out-muscling them in the Oxfordshire Cup.

Flanker Tim Knapp is pushing for selection after scoring two tries on his first team debut against Chipping Norton.

Wingers Charlie Murphy and Jez Tanner could also feature in the backline.

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