Chinnor must now play for ten weeks in a row as they bid to avoid relegation from National 3 South.

The Thame side visit Rosslyn Park on Saturday, and will then be in action every week until April 18 provided we suffer no more bad weather.

chinnor's longest run of consecutive league games this season has been six, so such a schedule will be a real test of their resources.

Henley will go one better with 11 matches in a row. Their campaign is due to end on April 25, but a top-six place is still very much in their hands.

The picture does not look as congested for Oxford Harlequins, who have eight games remaining in South West 1.

But they only have March 21 and Easter Saturday (April 11) as free weekends.

With yesterday’s Oxfordshire Cup first-round tie at Henley Wanderers being postponed, Quins may need both those spare dates if they are to reach a fourth successive final.

However you look at it, rugby officials will be hoping to see the back of the snow and ice.

Meanwhile, Witney will officially open five new pitches for mini and junior rugby at their Hailey Road ground on Sunday.

The ceremony takes place at 12.15pm, with a Wasps player and their mascot Sting in attendance.

There will be matches from under 7 to 13 level, plus under 17s, Cherubs and Angels also in action.

Witney are promising a barbecue and bacon butties, while proceeds from a raffle will be split between the Sam Foye Trust Fund and Help for Heroes.

Congratulations are due to former St Edward’s School, Oxford teacher Ben Ryan, who is now England Sevens coach.

Ryan led England to victory in the Wellington Sevens as they beat New Zealand 19-17 in an epic final.

The victory left England joint second in the IRB series, with the Sevens World Cup starting next month.