Oxfordshire Shield final

Kick-off 12noon

Sunday, April 26

Abingdon captain Ronnie Booth says they will make the most of their big day against holders Blue Boar.

Boar, who are based in Longworth will start as slight favourites, with nearby Abingdon having struggled in the BB&O Premier Division.

But Abingdon captain Ronnie Booth said: “We are just going to go there and enjoy it.

“If we play as I know we can, it will be a very entertaining final for the neutral.

“It is a big day for us. Getting to any final is great.”

Fly half Robert Milnes and wing Vincent Barnes are players to watch.

Michael Hedges’s experience sees him handed the No 8 shirt, with Steve Grant starting at lock.

“Vincent Barnes doesn’t look like a winger, but he has got gas to burn,” added Booth.

Blue Boar include brothers Will and Chris Sandbach, sons of former player and sponsor Ted, in their backs.

Sam Stoop captains their side from centre, while last year’s winning skipper James Brufell returns from injury on the bench.

Boar secretary Brian Kentish said: “When the club was formed in 1977 following a challenge by Blackwells Bookshop, we scarcely thought that one day we would be competing in successive county finals at Iffley Road.”

Kentish added: “Abingdon and the RAF base have been regular opponnets of the Blue Boar over the years and three former Abingdon skippers, Paul Murphy, Terry Morgan and Chalky Lappin have all taken on the captaincy of both clubs.”

Abingdon: Seguinard, Barnes, Stalker, Maddison, Wilde, Milnes, Lemon, Caudle, Cook, Abbey, Booth (capt), Grant, Humpage, Goswell, Hedges. Reps: North, Beauchamp, Broughton, Crossland, Roberts.

Blue Boar: Davies, Boggis, Stoop (capt), W Sandbach, Cover, C Sandbach, Whitfield, Lay, North, Paul, Cox, Graham, Alder, Harrison, Kingdon. Reps: Morgan, Spencer, Barnes, Blanchard, Brufell.