AFTER what seems like months and months of waiting, the moment is finally here for Rover Oxford Ladies, who tomorrow travel to Bedford for their first ever National League match.

Team spokesman Bob Phillips said the girls, who won the South Clubs' League and clinched promotion by winning the inter-league play-offs, are now looking forward to the step-up with "cautious confidence."

"The team is in good shape but fully aware of the challenges ahead," he said.

Apart from a late injury scare to skipper Lorraine Furney, the squad is fully fit, and it includes newcomers Vicky Griffiths and Liz McVey, who has joined from Sheffield, plus returning player Laura Gorick, who has moved south from Sunderland. Oxford Hawks men begin their English League Division 2 campaign with a home match against Nottingham on Sunday (1.30).

Last season Hawks finished just one place above Harleston and Oxford University, who were both relegated, Harleston via the play-offs.

They needed an excellent end-of-season run to avoid the play-offs and have kept most of their squad.

They welcome globe-trotting Dutchman Steffan Crouwel, who is working for the Amsterdam Business School in Oxford but played in New Zealand last season.

Matt Armitage has re-joined Premier Division winners Reading from Hawks.

Nottingham finished fourth last season, and won 4-2 at Hawks - but the Oxford outfit won 2-1 in Nottingham.