HOCKEY: Banbury defend county crown

8:00am Saturday 8th September 2007

Holders Banbury defend their men's title at the Oxfordshire County Tournaments tomorrow.

The reignning champions, who defeated Oxford Hawks in the final a year ago before going on to win the Harrod UK England Trophy, hockey's equivalent to football's FA Vase, will again be favour- ites.

Along with last year's finalists, the competition at Drayton School, Banbury, and at Bloxham School features Bicester, City of Oxford, Rover Oxford, Witney, Henley, Abingdon and Wallingford.

Henley defend the women's title at Oxford Hawks' base at Banbury Road North, Oxford.

They face the hosts, City of Oxford, West Witney and Rover Oxford, with the competition starting at 1.30.

Banbury have been given a tough draw away to Eastbourne in this year's Harrod UK England Hockey Trophy, on October 6.

Banbury beat Eastbourne in the quarter-finals last season on penalty flicks.