Oxford RFC, who have plummeted down rugby's ladder in recent years, are in good shape to make a revival.

That was the prediction of flong-serving committee man Ron Martin at a special club lunch on Saturday.

Speaking before Oxford's 11-5 victory over Littlemore which kept alive their hopes of promotion from Berks, Bucks and Oxon Division 1, Martin told the audience that the last five years had been " difficult.

"However, now there is optimism of a revival, which is achievable, but only with the support of all the members," said Martin.

"The club has an historic heritage and a proud tradition, something that must return foir the future."

The reasons for the renewed optimism comes from the junior and mini sections, which now boast 210 registered players and the remarkable number of 33 coaches.

All those coaches will be readily identifiable from now on, following a 1,000 donation, on behalf of other parents, from Mark Copeland which will provide each of them with new training tops.

Now for the first time, two junior teams from the Oxford club have reached their respective finals of the Oxfordshire Junior age group competitions.

Oxford Under 16s won their semi-final 25-3 against Witney to make it to the final for the second year running.

It was 3-3 at half-time, but Oxford used the elements in the second half to score tries through wingers, Mark Evans (2) and Steve Flynn.

Their other points came from David Ceglarek, with a penalty and two conversions, plus a penalty from Daniel Clifton.

Oxford Under 14s lost an early ten-point lead at home to Witney before a second try from Niall Har sealed their final place with a 15-10 win. Francis Simm was Oxford's other try-scorer.

The Oxon Under 17 Cup semi-final between Chinnor and Bicester has been posptoned for a fortnight.

OTHER JUNIOR AND MINI RESULTS RESULTS

Colts: Oxford 22 (tries J Coburn, T Barton, M Dolby; cons D Wheeler 2; pen Wheeler), Wheatley 7.

Under 13: Oxford 0, Witney 12; Abingdon 10, Bicester 45 (tries T Herbert 5, T Hughes, A Green, B Foster, T Gurney).

Under 11: Bicester 7 (tryJ Gaskins; con Gaskins), Tring 0; Bicester 7 (try A Eldson; con K Tite; Bicester 0, C Norton 5.

Under 10: Bicester Foxes 35 (try Holly Malins 2, A Warriner, J McTaggart, T O'Gorman, F Overton), C Norton 0; Bicester Foxes 5 (try B Carr), Tring A 5; Bicester Hounds 15 (tries O Robinson 2, C Harris), Tring B 5; Bicester Hounds 0, Tring A 25.

Under 9: Bicester A 35 (tries D Southey 2, C Green 2, G Warriner 2, N Hallam), Tring 0; Bicester B 5 (try S White), Tring 25; Bicester A 25 (tries Southey, J Chilman, A Rosier, Green, Warriner), C Norton 5.

Under 8: Bicester 35 (tries A Holcombe 2, W Hines 2, H Pagan, J Horwood), Tring 20; Bicester 10 (Pagan 2), C Norton 0.

Under 7: Bicester 25 (tries T Chilman 3, T Blackburn, C Warriner), C Norton A 5; Bicester 15 (tries H Spencer, Chilman), Tring 15; Bicester Beginners 10 (tries B Rosier, R Blowers), Tring 5; Bicester Beginners 10 (tries C Ancil, H Gayler), C Norton A 25; Bicester Beginners 20 (tries Rosier, Ancil, B Blewitt, Blowers), Tring Mixed 5.