CRICKET: Bicester face dilemma

8:29pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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The Oxford Times Cherwell League

Bicester & North Oxford, one of three clubs involved in an exciting Division 1 title race, might not take up the option of promotion if they are champions.

Before tomorrow's final match away to Horspath, Bicester trail favourites Aston Rowant by 11 points and are level with Cumnor.

However, Bicester skipper Darryl Woods, said that "it could be a little bit too soon" for the club to return to the Home Counties Premier League from which they were relegated two years ago.

Woods said: "We're still rebuilding, and if we did end up winning the league, we'd have to call a players' meeting to decide if we really wanted to go up."

At the moment, Woods is focussing on trying to beat Horspath to whom they lost earlier in the season.

"All the pressure's on Rowant, but we'll still be going all out to win," said Woods.

Rowant, meanwhile will secure the title if they beat Oxford 2nd or secure 15 points or more.

Captain Simon Bird said: "We are still confident. We are just not particularly confident about the weather.

"The one thing we are worried about is one team being able to play and the others not.

"One thing we have lacked this year is a spinner.

"Had we had that this season, we may have won the title two or three weeks ago."

The third team in the mix are Cumnor, who travel to relegation-haunted Banbury 2nd.

They are poised to pounce if either Rowant or Bicester slip up, and captain Carl Thompson said: "We blew it against Oxford Downs the week before, so to have another chance is a real boost.

"But whatever happens, we've had a brilliant season.

"Banbury need to win to have a chance of staying up, so it should be a great game."