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RUGBY UNION: Pride key for Oxon
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| Oxon scrum half Anthony Cope battles against Eastern Counties last week as James Eckert and Sean Bannister (right) add support |
Pride will be the key when Oxfordshire face Hertfordshire at Old Albanians tomorrow in their final County Championship Shield game of the season.
Oxon need to beat Herts by 29 points to avoid relegation, but coach John Brodley says simply winning is the objective.
Brodley said: "The main priority is to play for pride.
"If we can get the win, we'll see where we are. That's really all we can do.
"One thing I'm really pleased about is that the enthusiasm to play for the county is still there when it would be easy to have a free weekend."
Chinnor lock Andy Millburn and Reading centre Alex Wallace both come in for their first county game of the season.
Oxford Harlequins captain Anthony Cope starred in last week's 18-14 defeat against Eastern Counties and should be a key man again.
Herts caused a shock by beating Cornwall 31-26 at home last week, but their poor points difference means it is virtually impossible for them to reach the final.
They are captained by former Henley Hawks No 8 Dave Archer, who has now joined Cambridge.
Brodley added: "We know we have got a mountain to climb and we have got to get a win, and a very good win to stay up.
"At the end of the day, you can only do your best and I know come Saturday against Hertfordshire the team will do that.
"We are not lacking any passion or commitment and the team certainly don't want to end this campaign without a win.
"We have got to concentrate on improving our scrummaging as that is where we suffered at the weekend and we need to make the most of our chances.
"There's no doubt this game is going to be very tough.
"Hertfordshire have beaten Cornwall, but they also lost against Eastern Counties a couple of weeks ago, so they are blowing hot and cold.
"Hopefully we will catch them on a cold day."
Oxfordshire: from Winpenny (Chinnor), Whelan (Chinnor), Needham (Oxford Harlequins), Eckert (Oxford Harlequins), Cawston (Chinnor), Millburn (Chinnor), Hutchings (capt, Chinnor), Pearson (Blue Boar), Bannister (Banbury), Hayter (Newbury), Payne (Newbury), Cope (Oxford Harlequins), Sewell (Oxford Harlequins), Cathcart (Chinnor), Wallace (Reading), Nutt (Newbury), Sevier (Grove), Seymour (Chinnor), H Jones (Oxford Harlequins), plus two.
5:03pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Martin Johnson, Twickenham on 3:29pm Fri 16 May 08
Still no Knapp! When will they learn?
Still no Knapp! When will they learn?
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