WIMBORNE skipper Russell Tinsdale believes the Southern Counties South title is Oakmeadians’ to throw away.

He also insists it’s irrelevant to him that the Leigh Parkers’ surprise wins over championship-rivals Frome and Wootton Bassett have installed Oaks as hot favourites to lift the crown.

James Croker’s side are three points clear of second-placed North Dorset and Frome, with Wootton now five points behind.

So a home triumph for the Meyrick Parkers over North Dorset in a crunch ‘four-pointer’ tomorrow would go along way towards securing the title, even with the Slaughter Gate outfit having one game in hand.

Tinsdale, whose rejuvenated side host basement boys Ivel Barbarians tomorrow (2.30pm), said: “I think Oaks will win the title.

“With who they have left to play, I don’t think there is anyone else capable of catching them.

“North Dorset are probably the best bet, but they don’t travel well.

“They put the results together at home but don’t do so well on the road.

“It’s Oaks’ title to throw away, and I can’t see them doing it.”

Wimborne’s wins over Frome and Wootton have inadvertently helped neighbours Oaks in their quest for promotion to South West Two East, but Tinsdale said: “At the end of the day, we’re playing for ourselves, not anyone else.”

There is no love lost between the All Blacks and Oaks, and Tindsale added: “It’s one of those things, we don’t look at it that way.

“The title is in Oaks’ hands. The only top team they have to play is North Dorset and even if they lost that, they’ll still be hot favourites.

“That’s because after North Dorset, Oaks have got Sherborne, Tadley, Oldfield, Bradford and Minety to play and only Tadley are in the top half.”

North Dorset still have to travel to four of the top five – Oaks, Wootton, Frome and Corsham – and host Tinsdale’s Wimborne in a derby.

With that tough programme, it looks like they’ll have to step up another gear to grasp the title away from Oaks, even if they gain revenge for a 3-0 home league defeat tomorrow.

Talking about Wimborne, Tinsdale said: “Our main goal now is to get into the Dorset and Wiltshire Vase final and win that.

“We’ve got Devizes in the semi at home and are just waiting for a date.

“Apart from that, we don’t want to get sucked back into a full-blown relegation battle. We’re looking to go from strength to strength and start building for next season.”

Jay Van Wyk (calf strain) and Jim Brokenshire (ribs) are their only injury doubts ahead of Ivel’s visit.

The All Blacks beat the Yeovil-based side 29-7 away earlier this season.

Wimborne: (from) Unwin, Hunt, Tinsdale, Hawkins, Hopkins, Murphy, Coulling, Champ, Davies, Llewellyn, Van Wyk, King, Griffith, Brokenshire, Buller, Maltman, Jordan, Mikolajewski, Saxby.

Oaks: (from) Bongard, Atkins, Riley, Leyland, W Croker, Richards, Hokianga, Stradwick, Tim Flower, Harman, Anthony, Hymers, R Stephenson, Hicks, Davies, Notobartolo, Tom Flower, Morgan, Ciriki, Tryska, M Stephenson, Stephens.