Club Fixtures

Saturday 28th March
1st XV Bulls
Men's 1st XV vs Drybrook (A) [KO 2:30pm]

2nd XV Lions
Men's 2nd XV vs Grove (H) [KO 3:00pm]

3rd XV Wanderers
Men's 3rd XV vs Stow-on-the-Wold (A) [KO 2:15pm]

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Match Preview: Banbury RUFC vs Drybrook RFC
Saturday 28th March 2026 | Graf UK Stadium

Banbury RUFC return to the Graf UK Stadium this Saturday as they host Drybrook RFC in Round 21 of the Regional 1 Midlands campaign. With the season entering its final stages, the Bulls will be determined to respond to last weekend’s narrow defeat and continue their strong run of performances on home soil.

Head Coach Soane Tongaʻuiha and Director of Rugby Matt Goode will be looking for a focused and composed display as Banbury aim to build momentum heading into the closing rounds of the season.

Banbury’s Season So Far
Banbury’s 2025–26 campaign has been characterised by resilience, attacking flair, and a series of tightly contested matches. The Bulls have shown clear progression throughout the season, combining high-scoring wins with improved game management.

Results to Date:

• R1: Banbury 31–19 Bromsgrove
• R2: Banbury 50–15 Newent
• R3: Dudley Kingswinford 14–27 Banbury
• R4: Banbury 19–20 Lichfield
• R5: Lutterworth 42–18 Banbury
• R6: Stourbridge 30–28 Banbury
• R7: Banbury 19–20 Newport (Salop)
• R8: Nuneaton 5–63 Banbury
• R9: Banbury 7–14 Bridgnorth
• R10: Bournville 54–17 Banbury
• R11: Banbury 32–15 Drybrook
• R12: Newent 31–28 Banbury
• R13: Banbury 32–12 Dudley Kingswinford
• R14: Lichfield P–P Banbury
• R15: Banbury 53–26 Lutterworth
• R14 (Rearranged): Lichfield 56–17 Banbury
• R16: Banbury 53–7 Stourbridge
• R17: Newport (Salop) 17–20 Banbury
• R18: Banbury 92–0 Nuneaton
• R19: Bridgnorth 29–32 Banbury
• R20: Banbury 27–28 Bournville

Recent weeks have seen Banbury produce some of their most impressive rugby of the season, including a dominant win over Nuneaton and a strong away victory at Bridgnorth. Last weekend’s narrow 27–28 defeat to Bournville will provide added motivation as the Bulls look to return to winning ways.

The Opposition: Drybrook RFC
Drybrook make the trip from Gloucestershire as a side known for their physicality, work rate, and traditional forward-led approach. They are a team that prides itself on commitment in contact and strong defensive effort, often making life difficult for opposition sides in tight contests.

When the two teams met earlier in the season, Banbury secured a 32–15 victory at the Graf UK Stadium, delivering a controlled and disciplined performance. However, with the season progressing and both teams continuing to develop, another competitive encounter is expected.

Key Focus Areas for Banbury

• Responding to Last Week
The narrow defeat to Bournville highlighted the fine margins at this level. Banbury will look to turn that frustration into a positive performance.
• Set-Piece Platform
Drybrook’s physical pack will challenge at scrum and lineout. Establishing a strong platform will be key to controlling the game.
• Maintaining Momentum in Attack
Banbury’s attacking form has been a standout feature in recent rounds. Continuing to play with tempo and accuracy will be crucial.
• Discipline & Game Management
Managing territory and limiting penalties will be essential in what could be a tight, physical contest.

From the Coaches
Head Coach Soane Tongaʻuiha has continued to emphasise belief, physicality, and cohesion within the squad, while Director of Rugby Matt Goode has highlighted the importance of consistency as Banbury push through the final stages of the campaign.

The focus this week is clear: build on recent performances and deliver a complete 80-minute display.

Final Word
With the Graf UK Stadium crowd behind them and momentum building in recent weeks, Banbury will be aiming to deliver another strong home performance. As the season approaches its conclusion, every result carries added importance, and the Bulls will be determined to make this one count.