RUGBY: Oxfordshire out to make amends

From the Oxford Mail, first published Monday 29th May 2006.

Craig Burrows says Oxfordshire want to make amends for three years ago when they face Notts, Lincs and Derbys at Twickenham today.

The Oxon skipper had not moved to the county when they lost 27-8 to Northumberland in the 2003 County Championship Shield final.

But eight of today's squad were involved that day and Burrows believes this gives them an extra incentive.

He said: "Many of the boys played at Twickenham a few years ago and they want to put things right.

"I think the advantage we have is that most of our side have come from one club in Chinnor. It gives us a real togetherness to build on.

"The main target this season was to get promotion back into the Shield, which we have done. Now we want to lift the trophy."

Oxon were never behind in any of their pool games, but recovered from 10-3 down in their semi-final against East Midlands.

Burrows said this had added to the confidence that comes from scoring 25 tries so far.

"In the pool games we started really well and scored tries in the first ten minutes," he said.

"In the semi-final, it wasn't going our way. We regrouped at half-time and started to control it with our pack."

If Oxon win today, it will cap a dream season for Burrows, who has already led Chinnor to the South West 1 title.

And he is enjoying it all the more after recovering from a serious knee ligament injury.

Burrows said: "This time last year it was touch and go whether I would play again, but since coming back the knee has been fine."

Burrows' line-out skills have been a major weapon for Chinnor and Oxfordshire alike.

And it looks as if the county's Twickenham run has added an extra element to his game.

"I scored one try all season for Chinnor, so to get four in four games for Oxfordshire is excellent," he said.

Chinnor provide Oxon's entire pack today and they have four other players in the 22-man squad.

Notts, Lincs and Derbys have seven Nottingham players in their squad and a further three from Nottingham University.

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