RUGBY UNION: Henley make five changes for crunch clash (From Bicester Advertiser)

RUGBY UNION: Henley make five changes for crunch clash

10:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Rugby

HENLEY Hawks have made five changes for their National 2 South title showdown at home to leaders Worthing.

Second-placed Hawks could move to within two points of Worthing with a game in hand if they can pick up a bonus-point victory.

Tom Allen starts at full back, having come off the bench last week, with centre Martin Nutt remaining as captain.

Allen replaces Jevon Marsh (dislocated elbow), while Xavier Andre comes in for ex-Worthing wing Richard Briggs.

Matt Payne and Will Woodward start on the flanks instead of injury victims Ben Ashmore (shoulder) and Ryan Newman (knee).

Dave Clements returns at lock, with James Winterbottom dropping to the bench, where there is also a spot for England Under 20 hooker Nathan Morris.

Hawks will also be out for revenge after losing 49-5 at Worthing in November.

Chinnor are without Joe Pickett for their mid-table clash at Shelford.

The prop has gone to play in the Australian season, meaning hooker Simon Tattersall comes into the squad.

Centre Matt Goode faces a late fitness test on a knee injury, but head coach Jason Bowers is hopeful he will be fit.

“We have set some targets for the last few games,” Bowers said.

“Although we are comfortable in the league, the last thing we want is for the season to peter out into something of a damp squib.”

Oxford Harlequins' head of rugby Steve Chadbone wants his side to keep their heads up high, despite their impending relegation.

Defeat at home to Redingensians will mean they are unable to climb out of the National 3 South West drop zone.

Even a victory will not be enough if Avonmouth win, but Chadbone wants his side to stay positive.

“We are where we are, but we have improved massively since Christmas,” he said.

“We are just going to keep going regardless of where we are. We will go into every game positively and looking to win.”

Luke Evans and Sam Bennett, come back into the side having recovered from a knee ligament strain and head injury respectively.

Prop Jamie Burke, scrum half Alec Carlsson, wing Luke Manning and centre James Lamb all return to the Witney squad for their trip to Windsor in South West 1 East.

Witney will have a high-profile spectator as Windsor RFC patron, the Duke of Edinburgh, is due to attend.

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

Henley Hawks (v Worthing, home): Allen, Andre, Nutt (capt), Wells, Holmes, Robinson, Carter, Milford-Scott, Dwyer, Manning, Clements, McNally, Payne, Woodward, Stapley. Reps: Hadfield, Morris, Maddocks, Winterbottom, Briggs.

Chinnor (v Shelford, away): Mountford, Gray, Goode, Stoop, T Corpe, Millett, Jones, Winpenny, Holyland, Tattersall, Mowbray, Smith, Hughes, Sawyer, Gilbert, Hopwood, Colver, Whelan, Hastings.

Oxford Harlequins (v Redingensians, home): Hilton, Whittington (capt), Johnstone, Evans, Straengh, Bourda, Cosins, Si Chadbone, Edney, Boulton, Clayton, Brown, Forde, Bennett, Tupou. Reps: Farahani, Baker, Davis.

Witney (v Windsor, away): Monks, Luke Manning, Stratford, Clarke, L Collins, H Lamb, Carlsson, Burke, R Harris, Fuller, Bennett, M Copperwheat, Muller, C Campbell, J Hicks (capt). Reps: Brocklebank, Rowles, J Lamb.