The status of the David Charles Oxfordshire KO Cup suffered a further blow, with the news that the third-round tie between Oxford Harlequins and Grove will be contested by the clubs' second teams.

Because of Oxford Harlequins' prolonged run to the last 16 of the Powergen Intermediate Cup, there are now no free dates available for the county cup tie with their fellow Southern Counties North rivals.

So this Saturday, the club's respective second strings will do battle at Horspath Road for a place in the quarter-finals.

On a neighbouring pitch, Quins's first team entertain Milton Keynes in the league.

Colin Baldwin, the Oxfordshire RFU secretary, denied that a game between two second teams harmed the Oxfordshire Cup.

"It would have devalued the competition had one of the teams conceded without playing," he said.

"Indeed, it reflects great credit on Oxfordshire rugby, that Harlequins have done so well in the Intermediate Cup."

Quins' head coach Matt Maudsley said: "I'm not particularly happy about it, but there was no alternative.

"I don't think it devalues the competition, but it does devalue the result of this fixture."

Maudsley made it clear that if Quins won the tie, he would revert to his first-choice line-up in later rounds.

"We're out to win as many trophies as we can this season," he said.

This is contrast to his opposite number at Grove, John Gunter, who expressed himself quite happy with the arrangement.

"It gives the second-team players an opportunity to get exposed to a higher standard of rugby," said Gunter

"For that reason, I would expect us to stick by the same players if we get through to the next round."

It's nothing new for 2nd XVs to be playing in the Oxon Cup. Henley have been doing for many years now. Indeed it was their second string who carried off the cup last season.

By the time Saturday's tie is played, Quins or Grove will know the identity of their opponents in the quarter-finals on February 17.

The draw will be made at an Oxon RFU meeting tomorrow night.

The teams already through are Henley Wanderers, Chipping Norton and Chinnor plus the four exempted clubs - holders Henley, Banbury, Witney and Littlemore.