HEAD coach Tug Wilson is calling on his Witney players to relish the underdog tag against Banbury when they bid to win the Oxfordshire Cup for the first time.

The South West 1 East rivals face off at Iffley Road tonight (7.30), with both clubs taking up to three coachloads to the home of Oxford University.

Banbury have enjoyed relentless success in the competition in recent years and bid to be crowned county champions for a third successive year.

Witney, however, know what it is like to be runners-up, having tasted defeat in 2006, 2007 and 2010.

Wilson is fully aware his side could face a tough night against a Bulls side on a 13-match winning league run.

But he is hoping Witney, who name Gareth Campbell, Henry Lamb and Alan Richens in their squad from the 2010 team, can thrive off the fact all the pressure is seemingly on their opponents.

Wilson said: “Everybody is really excited and a cup final is always great.

“It’s a big occasion and cups are something as a player I grew up on, and it’s still something we see as a very important competition.

“We just want to give a good account of ourselves.

“But we don’t want them to let the occasion overawe them.

“We will go as definite underdogs, but that is something they can enjoy. There’s not a great deal of pressure on us.”

Banbury head into the encounter on the back of an 11-try demolition of Swindon at the weekend.

Bulls are bidding to make their own bit of history in winning the competition three times in a row and join Oxford, Henley, Oxford Harlequins and Chinnor in achieving the feat.

Head coach Matt Goode admits tonight’s final has been playing on his mind.

He said: “We’re getting used to it (playing at Iffley Road), but it’s still pretty nerve-wracking.

“I don’t think it makes it any easier being a third time, it puts more pressure on you.

“We’re doing very well in the league, but the cup is special and different – you start getting a bit more nervous and thinking about what an achievement it could be.”

Goode, who is unable to select Joe Winpenny (unavailable) and Josh Deegan (broken thumb), is expecting a tough encounter.

He said: “We’re favourites, yes, but when you are in a final it is about who turns up on the day.

“We know Witney are a very good side and it will be a cracker.”

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Witney: from Burke, Richens, Wakemen, Copperwheat, Harris, Webb, Mortimer, Coe, C Campbell, Allen, Bayliss, G Campbell, Birks, Clarke, Boshell, Lamb, Lambourne, Morgan, Gaffney, Marshall. Travelling res: Edwards, Lewis.

Banbury: Gray, Joe Mills, Manley, Goode, Cracknell, Stoop, E Phillips, Isham, Saar, Boulton, Dixey, Archer, Jacob Mills, Powell, C Phillips. Reps: Key, Brock, Pratt, Briggs, Brady.

Follow live updates of tonight's final via @OxMailJackJ