Although the season still has three months to run, the destination of the Southern Counties North title could be decided tomorrow when Grove entertain Oxford Harlequins at Cane Lane.

It's a two-horse race at the top, with Quins leading Grove only on points difference, both sides having suffered just one defeat.

Apart from Quins' blip against Witney, these two teams are ahead and shoulders above the rest in their division, and it's hard to see either slipping up again in the run-in.

Quins, seeking to complete a double over their main rivals, have big doubts over props Paul DeLange (damaged ribs) and Jon Silversides (bruised shoulder), who were both injured against Hertford last week.

But the club have strength in depth now. Assistant coach Simon Stevenson could make his first start of the season, while Simon Chadbone is also a solid scrummager, and mobile with it.

Behind the scrum, Chris Penney is unvailable, so player-coach Matt Maudsley will stay at fly half, while one of the two overseas newcomers - Australian Richard Rouse and Kiwi Stuart Burrage - could come in if full back Guy Dobson fails a test on his injured hamstring.

"This match looks likely to settle the title and I'm confident that we've got a stronger squad now than when we last played Grove," said Maudsley.

Injuries to key Chinnor players Mike Cook, Dave Cook and hooker Paul Kelly in last week's friendly against Banbury could well cause them problems for their game at home to South West 1 leaders Weston- super-Mare.

Henley Hawks entertain Otley at Dry Leas tomorrow (2.15 ), as they embark on the first of three vital games in their fight to get away from the bottom of the National Division 1 table.

Next week they travel to Bracknell, now just two points above them, and the following Saturday they play Bedford at home.

Although the Hawks lost the league match at Otley 55-13, they had a morale boosting 48-30 win over them at home in the Powergen Cup.

Henley's injury problems linger on. Last week at Worcester, backs Ric Van Zyl, Pete Davies and Ayoola Erinle were unable to start because of hamstring troubles, while Mark Venner joined them on the sidelines after suffering a knock in the second minute.

However, they have agreeed a deal with Worcester that sees back rower David Fryday join them for the rest of the season.

Hawks are also hoping that Oxford University's Simon Miall will make his debut.

Bicester take on Pennanians at home in Berks, Bucks and Oxon Division 1, with James Shouler back at No 8 and leading points scorer Pat Coogan returning to the wing. Tony Nightingale moves to blindside in place of the unavailable Peter Buinimasi.

Tomorrow's line-ups Henley Hawks: from Fabian, McNair, Rowland, Davies, Dixon, R Osman, Van Zyl, Jones, Reeves, Ayres, Smaje, Fuller, Hannon, Brett, Hall, Nicholas, Pettemerides, Farner, Winterbottom, Miall, Atkinson, Venner, Pegna, Fryday, Metcalfe, Mortimore.

Banbury Bulls (v Leicester Lions, home 2.30): Harrison, Flemming, Noyce, Jackson, Gill, Hurst, Hobley, Brown, Wilkins, McNally, Chatterton, Cummings, Brooks, Hughes. Reps: Cockerton, Papenfus, Mascall.

Banbury Extra 1st (v Leicester Lions 2nd, away, 2.30): Thomas, Hemshere, Lalanne, A N Other, Taylor, Briggs, Purnell, Hattingh, Sunner, Stilwell, Galliers, Burbidge, Herlihy, Blackwell, Dixon.

Banbury Lions (v Leicester Lions 3rd, home, 2.30).

Oxford Harlequins (v Grove, away, meet Grove 1pm): from DeLange, St Chadbone, Lawfull, Stevenson, Dow, Price, Brusch, Nye, J Cope, Anderson, A Cope, Maudsley, Recchia, Swadling, Hill, Si Chadbone, Rouse, Jones.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Grove 2nd, away, meet Horspath Road, 10.15).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Grove 3rd, away, meet Horspath Road 11am, kick-off 12.30).

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Abbey 4th, away, meet Horspath Road, 12.30.).

Bicester (v Pennanians, meet 12.45): from K Smith, Ewins, Evans, Williams, Malins, Nightingale, Grace, Shouler, Kelly, M Nash, C Nash, Maule, J Smith, Coogan, Ward, Cannon, Cook, Wright, Van Wyk.

Bicester A (v Pennanians, meet 12.45): from Brogan, Spencer, Cook, Turner, Barnes, Lawrence, Scott, Achette, Cunningham, Wilkins, Rushworth, Bishop, Austin, Dau, Budde, Jolliffe, Cassidy, Hopkins.

Littlemore (v Winslow, away): from Clark, Hurley, Massey, Draper, Powell, Thompson, Barressi, Shipley, Norton, Wright, Goodenough, Smith, Rudman, Hixon, Springer, Staples, Williams, Jackman, Roberts.