LUKE Allen says Henley Hawks will not give up on fighting for promotion despite seeing his side slip seven points off the pace.

Last week’s defeat to second-placed Canterbury, who occupy National League 2 South’s sole play-off spot, has dented their hopes.

But Hawks are refusing to accept they are out of the running and are looking for a reaction when they host London Irish Wild Geese tomorrow.

With three of their remaining four matches at home, head coach Allen is targeting maximum points.

He said: “We’re not going to play the rest of this season with the mindset of settling for third or fourth, we’ll keep challenging for that (second) spot.

“If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, we’ve still given it a go.

“We’re excited to have three home games and we’re looking to put on a show for our crowd.

“We want people to come back and watch next year – that’s our biggest focus and we’re going for maximum points out of these four games.

“We’re targeting 20 points and we’ll see where we’re at.”

Hawks make four changes, one positional, with George Primett, Marcus Lowe and Ryan O’Neill handed starts, while Dan Barnes is moved to fly-half.

Chinnor host struggling Loughborough Students in National League 1.

The Thame-based side were stunned by the Leicestershire outfit in December and will be looking to avoid a repeat of their 48-46 defeat.

Witney host Wimborne knowing even a bonus-point victory may not be enough for them to avoid relegation from South West 1 East.

The west Oxfordshire side are 11 points adrift with three games to play and will be hoping for a favour from their county rivals Banbury.

Bulls, four points adrift of the division’s sole play-off spot, host Trowbridge, who occupy the place above the drop zone.

Oxford Harlequins will be looking to end a five-match winless run when they travel to second-placed Old Centralians.

Jack Crowe moves to centre, while Ralf Jones and Matt White return.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Henley Hawks (v London Irish Wild Geese, home): L O’Neill, Robinson, R O’Neill, Andre, Wood, Barnes, Webb, Stock, Emery, Primett, Hyde, Albon, Lowe, Lunnon, Bradley. Reps: Cook, Manning, White, Hall, Griffiths.

Oxford Harlequins (v Old Centralians, away): Henderson, Turetta, Nutt, Crowe, De Lange, Jones, O’Brian, Cashman, Ralton, Farahani, Purchase, Myatt, Todd, Alston, White. Reps: MacCallum, Garrett, Gill.

Witney (v Wimborne, home): Gaffney, Birks, Clarke, Foggett, Turberville, Landray, Lambourne, Nobbs, Curry, Wakeman, Mortimer, Caffekey, Coe, Campbell, Bayliss. Reps: Dore, Anderson, Strutt.

OTHER FIXTURES

Oxfordshire Shield final: Oxford University Whippets v Oxford.

BB&O Premier: Chesham v Gosford All Blacks.