Oxfordshire can take a major step towards clinching the Riley’s British Inter-Counties Championship Division 1 title this weekend with victory away to County Durham.

They sit proudly at the top of the table, seven points clear of Hampshire and ten ahead of Gwent.

A win would make them firm favourites to reach the Premiership for only the second time in their history as their final fixture is at home to lowly Bedfordshire.

But Durham will be no pushovers. They go into the match on the back of a thumping 27-12 win over London in their last fixture.

Oxon’s ladies A team will have to do without World championship semi-finalist Deta Hedman, who is playing in Poland.

Paulette Guy takes her place and Sandra Cox is also promoted.

John Mulley makes his debut in the men’s B team, while Antony Barrett returns to the side.

The men’s A remain unchanged following their brilliant 11-1 win over Somerset last month and their clash could be crucial.

The teams are first and second in their table.

The venue this weekend is Willington Working Men’s Club at Hall Lane Estate, Willington Crook. Play starts at noon on Saturday and 11 am on Sunday.

Men’s A: N Cobb, S Dutton (Vauxhall Kidlington), P Hall (GWRSA Club Didcot), J Jukes, P Krabben, I Moss, J Palmer, K Shepherd, D Smith, A Thomas (ACG Labels), M Thomson, K Wilkins (KW Flooring).

Men’s B: P Addison, A Barrett, D Butler, S Holly, A Larner, D Lockyer, G Manning (Sandvik Coromant), J Mulley, J Russell, L Russell, N Russell, S Wright.

Reserves: R Haines, N Russell, A Stevens, M Stocker, O Varney, S White, K Young.

Ladies A: S Cox, P Guy, L Jennings, L Jones, B Manning, K Williams.

Ladies B: Cath Birch, N Curzon, K Dutton, J Jenkins, K Ledbury, J Newman (Duke of Cumberland’s Head).

Reserves: Cali Birch, D Hedman, H Prowton (Spar Eynsham), J Weedon.