ALAN Hancock is “quietly confident” Oxford Harlequins can beat local rivals Banbury tomorrow and make it back-to-back wins.

South West 1 East’s bottom side welcome the league’s newcomers to Marston Ferry Road after recording their first victory of the season at Windsor six days ago.

And head of rugby Hancock is calling for his players to use that win as a platform.

He said: “If we deliver what we did last week I am sure we will be able to step up and go toe-to-toe with Banbury.

“I am quietly confident and it is a home game – we perform well at Marston Ferry Road and every game there this season has been tight.”

Hancock was also full of praise for Adam Neal, who captained the side for the first time last week in the absence of the injured Allan Purchase (shoulder).

“He did a sterling job,” said Hancock.

“He has inherited his leadership from Allan Purchase and it was an easy decision for us.”

Hooker George Tierney makes his debut, while prop Chris Davies returns.

Ollie Jenner moves to fly half and Jack Robinson starts at centre.

Banbury’s James Kerr says he is looking forward to locking horns with Quins.

And despite defeat to Old Patesians last week, the head coach believes his side should travel to Oxford in good spirits.

Kerr said: “It will be awesome, it’s a great game for us.

“We see Quins as an opportunity to come away with a win and we should go into it with some confidence we can do that.”

Grove travel to Old Centralians, while Witney are away to second-placed Royal Wootton Bassett.

Chinnor’s director of rugby Matt Williams has praised the impact of captain Bevon Armitage.

The National League 2 South leaders head to Cinderford bidding to keep their 100 pet cent record intact.

Centre Armitage, who joined in the summer after being released by Doncaster Knights, has proved influential, scoring six tries.

Williams said: “He is a brilliant captain.

“He is not massively vocal, but when he speaks the boys listen and he has got that bit of sparkle about him.”

Danny Barnes is injured (knee), so Steve Castle switches to centre, Keiran Goss to full back and Luke Hibberd returns to the wing.

In the pack, Andy Darlington and Richard Thorpe come in.

Centre Junior Fatialofa is still sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Henley Hawks travel to Canterbury.

Full back Tom Parton and winger Cameron Ives return to the side, while in the forwards, Jim Hadfield and Charles Davey start.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Chinnor (v Cinderford, away): Goss, Hibberd, Castle, Armitage, Lamont, Angell, Goodfellow, Cano, Townsend, Darlington, Hannay, Osazuwa, Thorpe, Jones, Burns. Reps: Tyack, Price, Parkins, Manning, Hopkin.

Henley Hawks (v Canterbury, away): Parton, Andre, Awcock, Hayhow, Ives, Comben, Jackson, Hadfield, Philpott, Adbale-Weir, Clements, Davey, Hall, Morrison, Hyde. Reps: Emery, Primett, Lane, Gardner, Perry.

Oxford Harlequins (v Banbury, home): Van Dijk, Crowe, Robinson, Fisilau, Roberts, Jenner, O’Brian, Barlow, Tierney, Davies, Neal, Alston, Taylor, Ward, Craig. Reps: from Stileman, Macha, Mitchell, Fairburn, Yeats.

Banbury (v Oxford Harlequins, away): Joe Mills, Daniels, Manley, Briggs, Deegan, Stoop, E Phillips, Paniagua, Isham, Key, Mills, Brock, C Phillips, Chilvers, Brand. Reps: O’Dwyer, Harden, Goode.