JAMES Kerr insists newly-promoted Banbury have no intention of just staying up and want to compete with the best in South West 1 East.

Bulls won Midlands 2 West (South) at a canter last year to secure sixth-tier rugby for the first time since 2011.

And head coach Kerr believes they will be up for the challenge when they travel to Witney tomorrow.

“Our objective is not just to survive, but to compete in this league,” he said.

“We want to go out there and look at winning every game we possibly can.”

Last year’s top try-scorer Joe Mills is out after under going a hernia operation.

But Bulls have been busy recruiting, with Grove forward Cash Chilvers among the new faces.

Ian Isham has been voted in as the club’s captain, replacing Ed Phillips who will be vice.

Witney finished fourth last season, but head coach Tug Wilson is expecting a difficult campaign.

He said: “Three teams from National 3 came down, some very good promoted sides such as Banbury came up, and with every other team improving and building year on year, it will make it very tough.”

Oxford Harlequins begin their campaign at home to Old Patesians.

After going unbeaten at Marston Ferry Road last season, head of rugby, Alan Hancock, says his side are ready for battle.

“We will take it one game at a time and I am sure we can deliver the goods,” he said.

Former Oxford University half back Guy Fairburn, winger Freddie Campbell, second row Michael Ojo and full back Will Roberts are set for debuts.

Grove begin life under new head coach Neil Hunter with an away trip to Swindon.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury (v Witney, away): Titchener, Deegan, Manley, Goode, Stoop, Stevenson, E Phillips, Paniagua, Isham, Key, Burge, Brock, Chilvers, C Phillips, Jacob Mills. Reps: O’Dwyer, Harden, Boyle.

Witney (v Banbury, home): Lambourne, Collins, Godfrey, Thomas, Morgan, Lamb, Campbell, Burke, Harris, Richens, Mortimer, Webb, Coe, Collins, Cooper. Reps: Wilson, Bennett, Welsh.

Oxford Harlequins (v Old Patesians, home): Roberts, Campbell, Crowe, Jenner, Robinson, Watkinson, Fairburn, Edney, Davies, Boulton, Purchase, Ojo, Milton, Ward, Latu. Reps: from Barlow, O’Brien, Fisilau, Asher, van Dijk.