IT is the county’s premier rugby competition, but with an increasing number of walkovers and struggles to field strong teams, is it time for change? JACK JOHNSON speaks to the clubs involved to see what the future could hold.

In any walk of life, you should always look for improvement and according to the county’s top clubs, that is exactly what needs to happen to the Oxfordshire Cup.

On the face of it, with last week’s final at Iffley Road attracting a healthy crowd as Banbury beat Witney to win the competition for a third year in a row, you would think there is little wrong.

But scratch beneath the surface and the cup has become riddled with walkovers, unavailability and questions raised about how it should run alongside a lengthy league campaign.

Of the 42 scheduled fixtures over the last five seasons, 13 were walked over and one was decided by the toss of a coin – that means a third of games were not played.

It is a similar situation in the Oxfordshire Shield – the competition for lower-level teams – with 24 per cent of matches falling by the wayside over the same period of time.

However, only two walkovers in the last two seasons, suggests there are fewer issues.

A lack of eligible front row players is one of the main reasons for cup fixtures not being upheld.

Many of the clubs question why the rules of the competition are different from the league.

Are squads of 20 which require at least five front rows necessary when they only have to select four in an 18-man league clash?

Moving the competition from weekend slots to midweek ties under floodlights is the most popular solution to the availability issue.

There are calls for the final, which is currently held on a Thursday night, to be switched to a weekend and combined with the shield to provide an excellent celebration of rugby in this county.

Making prize money available as an added incentive was also among the responses.

Oxford Mail:

  • CHAMPAGNE MOMENT: Banbury celebrate winning the Oxfordshire Cup after beating Witney in last week’s final Picture: Simon Grieve

At the heart of organising the Oxfordshire RFU competition, which has been running since 1971, are Doug Bosley and Jenny Bosley, who were keen to explain the complications they face.

“Because all Oxfordshire clubs play in the RFU leagues – except Henley 2nd and Chinnor 2nd – we have to arrange the date of cup and shield matches with the RFU structured season,” they explained.

“The unfortunate thing is that Henley 2nd and Chinnor 2nd sometimes have games on those days which makes it difficult.

“Another problem is that clubs refer to ‘free’ Saturdays.

“There is no such thing as a free Saturday, the structured season calls them ‘reserve/cup weekends’ especially put there for cup competitions and in case a match has been postponed for bad weather.”

Oxfordshire RFU are not adverse to change and understand something has to be done to make their flagship competition more appealing.

A number of the clubs mention how fondly former players talk about the cup.

They now question, with free weekends becoming ever more precious among blocks of six-eight weeks of league rugby, whether the carrot of a final is big enough.

Oxfordshire RFU’s chairman of competitions, Peter Bramley, who is also the president of the county’s Society of Rugby Football Referees, appreciates changes need to be made.

“We’ve got to get that kudos back in the competition, because it used to be held in high regard and it has waned over the last few years,” he said.

“I’m getting together with the sub committee for the competitions, so we can pre-plan for next year.

“When the fixtures come up, we need to see how we can get round them so there are no clashes.

“It’s difficult for clubs that are fighting relegation because they don’t want to get injuries which is understandable.

“But ultimately we have got to get that status back of what the cup final is all about.”

From speaking to the clubs it is clear the cup is still held in high regard – only Oxford Harlequins said they would consider not entering next season.

But changes are in need to ensure the competition can live up to its lofty past.

BANBURY - MATT GOODE (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? It’s always been a tradition at Banbury and a cup we are passionate about.

How could it be changed or improved? Does there need to be a shield? It would be good for those sides to play some of the best teams in the county. I would like all the teams to be involved. Some sort of incentive would be good.

BICESTER - ANDREW SMITH (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? It’s a competition that promotes the rivalry within the county and an opportunity when local sides can test themselves against better teams.

How could it be changed or improved? It’s about scheduling. It might be worthwhile using a place that has floodlights so you could have some games in midweek.

GOSFORD ALL BLACKS - MATT WATTS (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? Playing the shield final on the same day as the Six Nations devalues it. The cup final is a Thursday. How important does the county perceive it to be?

How could it be changed or improved? If the shield final was at 12 and the other game at 3 that might add kudos. We need to develop a culture within Oxfordshire rugby – that needs to come from the top.

GROVE - CRAIG BURROWS (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? I think it’s a good competition. The final at Iffley Road is a great carrot, but the big issue is availability which naturally drops off when there are gaps in league fixtures.

How could it be changed or improved? Maybe if you can’t play at the weekend, having a midweek option could be the way to go.

HENLEY - AUBREY DORAN (DIRECTOR OF RUGBY ADMINISTRATION)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? The main issue is availability. Anyone playing more than 24 matches of league rugby finds it a struggle – then it’s about having the right number of qualified front row players.

How could it be changed or improved? Some ideas are to have a neutral venue and play it midweek, but with the exception of the final.

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY - JOE WINPENNY (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? I hold it in extremely high regard. However, in recent years it has lost a little bit of its prestige with clubs prioritising league status.

How could it be changed or improved? Working with players who play not only for the university club but also local clubs, making a choice between playing for one or the other is a difficult decision for them. So I would remove the rule that cup ties players to certain clubs.

OXFORD HARLEQUINS - ANDY BOYLE (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? It has not got a great deal of clout any more. It’s a long old season and your rest weekends are important. The boys will plan family time and who am I to stop them spending time with their family?

How could it be changed or improved? I would try to make it midweek under lights. Even if a club cannot honour a fixture under lights, they can find a neutral venue. I know a change would be beneficial.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY GREYHOUNDS - TIM STEVENS (GENERAL MANAGER)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? It is intrinsically a good competition which has lost status in the last few years. If clubs take it seriously it is a welcome distraction to league rugby.

How could it be changed or improved? A sponsor putting up some prize money perhaps. Fines for teams who enter and then concede a walkover. Perhaps make it a midweek floodlit competition to make it feel a bit different, or maybe Friday night lights.

WITNEY - TUG WILSON (HEAD COACH)

Your opinion of the Oxfordshire Cup? It’s a great competition to be involved in. It brings something different and excitement. You can play against clubs of higher or lower divisions.

How could it be changed or improved? It needs to be moved along and broadened. The shield and cup should be amalgamated. There would be a big pool of teams and you might get a team in a lower division beat a higher team – what a cup exit and what a win that would prove to be.

  • Chinnor declined to give their comments