Quins set for relegation fight against Amersham

OXFORD Harlequins manager Steve Chadbone said they cannot even consider defeat in tomorrow’s crunch relegation clash at home to Amersham & Chiltern (3).

Quins, who are in the National 3 South West drop zone, lie four points behind Amersham, with three matches to play.

With their remaining games away to Barnstaple and at home to leaders Bourne-mouth, Quins could be all but relegated if they lose tomorrow.

Chadbone said: “We are not even thinking about defeat, to be honest.

“We have got our strongest side out this week, we have not got any better players at the club.

“The front five have been absolutely dominant in the last few weeks.

“If we can keep calm and finish well, we should be fine.”

Martin Nutt returns to the side at full back, with Quins hoping to use his finishing ability, while Frank Mayfield starts on the wing.

Chadbone said the squad remained confident, despite their predicament, but admitted the five points they had deducted for fielding an unregistered player could prove costly.

“There are a few nerves, but they are good nerves and positive ones,” said Chadbone.

“We are on quite a good run, really.

“We have got two more wins than some teams above us. I hope those five points don’t come back to haunt us.”

Quins were frustrated to take just a bonus point from last week’s 30-23 defeat at Exmouth, while Amersham hammered Weston-Super-Mare 51-13.

But Chadbone said: “When we played Amersham at their place, we opened them up quite easily and the weather was not great.

“This week the conditions will be better, which will suit us even more.

“We want to get five points from this one, but if we get four and stop them getting one, then we’ll move above them.

Chinnor add hooker Alan Cawston, prop Ian Stock, flanker Ben Ramsdale, wing Richard Williams and scrum half Ricky Hopwood to their squad to host relegated Newbury Blues.

Head coach Jason Bowers said it had been a “real challenge” to pick his players up after last week’s agonising 27-26 defeat at Bournemouth.

Bowers held a players’ meeting on Tuesday night to help them refocus.

He said: “After that we went outside and had one hell of a training session.

“The important thing for us is to get back to winning ways.

“The plan is very simple – to win five games, including a play-off.”

Bowers, whose day job is as Oxfordshire’s rugby development officer, added: “With my Oxfordshire hat on, I genuinely wish Quins all the best.

“Saturday is a big game for them.”

Henley Hawks have named an unchanged side and bench for their home clash with Hartpury College in National 2 South.

Fourth-placed Hawks are just one point above Hartpury, who beat Durham in the British Universities final at Twickenham on Wednesday.

Wing Aaron Lambourne, prop Mark Fuller and lock Marc Copperwheat are added to the Witney squad to host Swindon in South West 1 East.

Forwards Joe Rowles and Josh Rihan, plus wing Lewis Collins miss out from the side that lost at High Wycombe.

SATURDAY SQUADS

Henley Hawks (v Hartpury College, home): Allen (capt), Haynes, James, Wells, Baggett, Comben, Gaunt, Milford-Scott, Brennan, Hadfield, Winterbottom, Down-ing, Payne, Newman, Woodward. Reps: Bigley, Penny, Rowlands, Ashmore, Perry.

Chinnor (v Newbury Blues, home): from Colver, Seymour, Goode, Stoop, Chase, Gray, R Williams, Cathcart, Jones, Hopwood, Winpenny (capt), Tattersall, Cawston, Pickett, Whelan, Stock, Mowbray, Smith, Jackman, Harrison, Ramsdale, Gilbert.

Oxford Harlequins (v Amersham & Chiltern, home): Nutt, Pepiol, Jelly, Tevita, Mayfield, Smith, Cosins, Steventon, Chadbone (capt), Hall, Brown, Sammut, Forde, Vaiomo’unga, Powell. Reps: Edney, Farahani, Graham.

Witney (v Swindon, home): from Gouldie, Lambourne, Strutt, J Lamb, Murton, Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Burke, Fuller, Todd, Richens, Bennett, Haire, M Copp-erwheat, Muller, C Campbell, J Hicks (capt).