CRAIG Burrows remains optimistic Oxfordshire can turn the tables and reach the County Championship final at Twickenham.

Oxon head into their final Bill Beaumont Division 3 game against Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire (NLD) requiring a bonus-point win.

But they also need Buckinghamshire to beat Essex in order for them to top Pool 1 and face the Pool 2 winners at the national stadium on Sunday, May 28.

The head coach admits the scenario is far from perfect, but with NLD travelling to Chinnor’s Kingsey Road ground with nothing to play for, Oxon have a chance.

Burrows, who saw his side lose 30-29 to Essex last week after a late missed conversion, said: “I don’t think it’s a massive ask.

“We’re relying on other teams which is not ideal, but I think there’s nothing between Bucks and Essex.

“We’ve got to win the game, get a bonus point and it’s about concentrating.

“It’s about not conceding and we can’t assume we will rack up 50 points against a good outfit.”

Banbury duo Matt Goode (broken ribs) and Cash Chilvers (unavailable) miss out, while Oxford Harlequins’ Adam Neal is 50-50.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxfordshire: Giles, Birch (both Chinnor), Burn, Lane, Hyde, Primett (all Henley), Martin, Walsh, Bellinger (all Grove), Yeats, Robinson, Boulton, Purchase, Neal (all Ox Harlequins), Stoop, E Phillips, Joe Mills (all Banbury).