Both Littlemore and Banbury have much to play for when they meet in the semi-final of the David Charles Oxfordshire Cup at Peers School on Sunday (2.30).

In addition to the prestige of a place in the final, the victors are guaranteed a place in next season's Tetley's Bitter Cup.

Although three levels below Banbury, Littlemore will want to make the most of their narrow pitch and keep the ball tight and hope to create a giant-killing act.

Making their first appearance in a semi-final for 14 years, they should be at near full strength.

Banbury lock Simon Chatterton is unavailable for Sunday's cup tieAnd having failed to reach the final on their two previous occasions, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 club will be hoping it is third time lucky.

However, they are under no illusions that they are the underdogs and that they will have to produce the performance of their lives to trouble a Banbury side who play in Midlands 1.

The visting Bulls will be without their captain, scrum half Tony Hurst, lock Simon Chatterton, both on holiday, and also young South African prop Henk Hattingh, who is injured.

They are replaced by Simon Purnell, Richard Hughes and Mark Lawrence. Alex Stramrood takes over on the left wing from James Taylor, who covers on the bench.

After prolonged discussions, in which contrasting dates have emanated from the two clubs concerned, the postponed quarter-final between Henley and Chinnor will now be played at Iffley Road, on Wednesday, March 21, kick-off 7.30 pm.

The winners will then be away to Witney in the second semi-final on the following Sunday.

The final will be played at Iffley Road on Tuesday, April 10 (7.30).

The outstanding Oxfordshire Plate quarter-final between Grove and Abingdon will be played this Sunday.

SUNDAY'S OXON CUP SEMI-FINAL TEAMS

Littlemore (meet 12.30): Clark, Lowe, Massey, Draper, Keown, Edwards, Williams, Walter, Norton, Wright, Springer, Lockwood, Goodenough, Hixon, Rudman. Reps: Shipley, Warburton, Ireson, Powell, Coleman, Alcorn.

Banbury Bulls from: Ferguson, Fellows, Cartmell, Briggs, Stramrood, Harrison, Purnell, Lawrence, Brown, Hobley, Hughes, Phipps, Cummings, Brooks, Cockerton. Reps: Taylor, Lalanne, Fossey, Walker, Herlihy, Muddiman.