Chipping Norton are bidding to honour the memory of founder member Tony Cripps by starring on the field.

Club stalwart Cripps, who helped get Chippy started in 1975, was killed in a freak accident this summer.

The death of such a prominent figure had a big impact on the club as director of rugby Andy Dawson explained.

"Losing Tony Cripps was a massive blow to the club," said Dawson.

"At first we fractured into little groups, but then as one we all came together.

"Because of Tony Cripps's death the players want to go the whole season without losing a game in the league.

"The players have had his name embroidered on the shirts.

"Even if we get a clash of colours, they will wear them inside out."

Chippy have now won all nine of their BB&O Premier Division matches as well as three EDF Energy Senior Vase ties.

Dawson added: "I always ask the players to set their targets and they said they wanted to go the whole season unbeaten.

"The target is to win the league and the Oxfordshire Shield, progressing in the Vase as well is just a bonus.

"Beating Drybrook away was a massive thing and we have just built from there.

"It would be really nice to get to Twickenham, but we will see how it goes.

"The strength of this competition is that the teams are all on a par. It only takes in two leagues."

Chippy were relegated from Southern Counties North on the final day of last season, but have really turned things round since.

Dawson said much of this was down to a growing maturity in the squad.

"There's just a great spirit about the club," he said. "There is no question about it.

"There's a great belief in the team. The youngsters are coming through and they have three or four older heads alongside them.

"They all know how we play the game now.

"We've always had a lighter pack, but we have been working hard on technique.

"We are getting a decent amount of ball with which to do damage and defensively we just work for each other."