JOHN Brodley has told his Oxford Harlequins players to step up another gear when they visit Newton Abbot on National 3 South West tomorrow.
Director of rugby Brodley was pleased with Quins’ improved showing in their 30-8 victory over Newbury Blues, but says they must raise their level again.
“After half-time against Newbury, we made our tackles and our organisation improved,” said Brodley.
“We are going to need that at Newton Abbot because if we give them anything in the forwards, they will be very difficult to beat on their own turf.”
Simon Chadbone returns at loose-head prop, with Jonathan Hall moving to tight-head and Matt Edney keeping his place at hooker after shining against Newbury.
Julian Watkins replaces Adam Pearson (teaching commitments) at No 8, while flanker Jamie Cope is still a week away from returning to fitness.
In the backs, Hayden Newman starts at inside centre after being a late inclusion last week.
Chinnor add Ian Stock to the squad which earned a battling 12-5 victory at home to Redingensians for their trip to Bridgwater & Albion.
Prop Jim Hadfield, lock Stuart McClaren, No 8 Matt Payne, scrum half Jack Shaylor and centre Alex Cheesman all come into Henley Hawks’ starting line-up at home to Clifton in National 2 South.
They replace Will Bigley, James Winterbottom, Ryan Long, Mickey Molloy and Tommy Haynes respectively.
Henley head coach Steve Barnes said: “The changes show the overall strength of the squad rather than any weakness.”
Full back Ed Mitcham, centre James Lamb and back-row forward Wayne Caffekey return to the squad for Witney’s home game with Bletchley in South West 1 East.
Jake Thomas is ruled out after a head injury as Witney target a third straight win.
The Sevier brothers, Nick and Roger, team up at centre for Grove’s trip to Aylesbury in Southern Counties North.
Chris Clare comes in at full back, where Nick Sevier started in the victory over Slough.
Fly half Adam Spencer is promoted from the bench to join brother Dan in Bicester’s side to face Chipping Norton in the BB&O Premier Division.
TOMORROW’S SQUADS
Henley Hawks (v Clifton, home): Comben, Baggett, Cheesman, Wells, Andre, Allen (capt), Shaylor, Hepburn, Brennan, Hadfield, McLaren, Clements, Crossland, Newman, M Payne. Reps: Bigley, Milford-Scott, Winterbottom, Long, Haynes.
Chinnor (v Bridgwater & Albion, away): from Chase, Farr, Goode, Stoop, T Corpe, Seymour, Cathcart, Hopwood, Jones, Winpenny (capt), Tattersall, Pickett, Whelan, Jackman, Smith, Gilbert, Hastings, Mowbray, Devine, Ramsdale, Stock.
Oxford Harlequins (v Newton Abbot, away): Nutt, Burn, Jelly, Newman, Noyce, Stevenson, A Cope, Chadbone, Edney, Hall, Boyle (capt), Forde, Farhani, Powell, Watkins. Reps: Barlow, Brown, Cousins.
Witney (v Bletchley, home): from Mitcham, L Collins, J Collins, J Lamb, Strutt, Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Calley, Fuller, C Quarterman, Richens, M Copperwheat, Haire, Mortimer, Caffekey, Muller, C Campbell, J Hicks (capt).
Grove (v Aylesbury, away): Clare, Harrington, R Sevier, N Sevier, G Nicholl, D Maryon, Gustafson, Eckert, Dixey, Walsh, Miles, S Maryon, Bellinger, Young, B Nicholl (capt). Reps: Wallbridge, Alder, Needham.
Bicester (v Chipping Norton, away): Cluness, Walsh, Southey, Hampton, Shields, A Spencer, Smith, Giles, Evans, Morris, Phipps (capt), T Horwood, Griffin, J Horwood, D Spencer. Reps: Anns, Aslett, Nightingale.
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