Oxford Harlequins look the obvious favourites to lift the Oxfordshire Cup for a fourth successive year.

The holders are the highest ranked team in the competition, and have already been handed a bye in the first round with Henley Wanderers unable to raise a side.

Although they are still bottom of South West 1, Quins have a much stronger squad available than earlier in the season, and will be hard to beat.

Had the competition been contested in the autumn, Wallingford would have been a good bet.

But their form has dipped slightly since then, and should they reach finals day on April 26, many of their squad will be away on tour!

Aside from Quins, Chinnor 2nd are the side playing at the highest level – Canterbury Shield Division 2, a division which includes second teams of some clubs in National 2.

Chinnor have been more than holding their own, with seven wins and four losses from 11 matches.

With this in mind, and a kind draw, I predict a Quins versus Chinnor 2nd final, with the former winning.

Newly-promoted Harwell are statistically the best side left in the Oxfordshire Shield, although they have only won 13 points from their 17 BB&O Premier Division.

They face a tough first-round tie against holders Blue Boar, who won’t be able to exploit a loophole in the rules to field players from levels above the BB&O Premier.

But Gosford All Blacks seem to have got their season up and running since New Year, which is why they are my tip for the Shield.

Semi-finals will be played on March 21 and 22.