WHEATLEY have recruited nine new players after being promoted to this division.

They include fly half Leon Westerman, from Chinnor, and Australian wing Alfie Wood.

Wheatley, who open up at home to Abingdon on Saturday, impressed in reaching the Oxfordshire Shield final last season when they were beaten by Gosford All Blacks.

Hooker James Pollard said: “We hope to stay in the league and have another decent cup run.

“A lot of new players and a long pre-season has helped us build the largest group of players the club has had in a few years.”

PLAYERS IN: S Wilson (centre, University of Paris), M Richards (flanker, University of Warwick), R Johnson (centre), J Bowley (centre), L Meredith (No 8, Braintree), C Johnson (flanker, Gateshead), A Wood (wing, Australia), L Aguis (full back, United Services, Portsmouth), L Westerman (fly half, Chinnor).

PLAYERS OUT: H Collis, D Clark, B Ramsdale (Oxford Harlequins).

Littlemore have been boosted by the signing of Oxford University centre Scott Fernquest.

The club, who host Hungerford on Saturday, will be captained by Darren Warne and coached by Carl Wright and Kevin Jones.

They are targeting a mid-table finish after battling to avoid relegation last season.

PLAYERS IN: S Fernquest (centre, Oxford University).

PLAYERS OUT: S Gamble (fly half, Old Coventrians), O Mac An Aistrigh (loosehead prop, emigrated).

Gosford All Blacks visit Phoenix this week, while Chipping Norton are away to Swindon College Old Boys.

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