Head Coach Soane Tongaʻuiha and Director of Rugby Matt Goode take their side to Battlestead Croft with three victories from their opening four matches, following an impressive return to winning ways against Bromsgrove last weekend.

Burton have endured a more challenging start to the new campaign, but recent meetings between the clubs provide Banbury with a clear indication of the test awaiting them on Saturday afternoon.

Back to Winning Ways
Banbury produced a strong response to defeat at Stourbridge by securing a 33–17 victory over Bromsgrove in their first home league fixture of the season.

The result followed victories away at Syston and Broadstreet during the opening fortnight and leaves the Bulls with three wins from their opening four matches.

Banbury sit fourth in the early Regional 1 Midlands standings with 13 points, with only unbeaten Stourbridge, Newport (Salop) and Bridgnorth currently above them.

After beginning the season with three consecutive away fixtures, victory at the Graf UK Stadium provided a positive start to the Bulls' home campaign.

Attention now returns to the road and another challenging venue at Battlestead Croft.

The Challenge: Burton RFC
Burton return to Regional 1 Midlands this season following a year competing in Regional 1 North West.

The Staffordshire side finished fourth in Regional 1 Midlands during 2024–25 before being laterally transferred into the North West division for the following campaign.

Burton continued to compete strongly following that move, again finishing fourth in 2025–26 after recording 12 victories, one draw and nine defeats from their 22 league matches.

A further restructuring of the Level 5 leagues brought Burton back into Regional 1 Midlands for the current season, renewing their league rivalry with Banbury after a one-year absence.

Their opening four matches have produced one victory and three defeats.

Oxford Harlequins 42–14 Burton
Burton 24–34 Stourbridge
Moseley Oak 14–55 Burton
Bridgnorth 45–26 Burton

Burton's emphatic victory at Moseley Oak demonstrated the attacking threat they can pose, with Saturday providing their third home league fixture of the campaign.

A Familiar Opponent
Although Banbury and Burton were placed in different Regional 1 divisions last season, there is plenty of recent history between the clubs.

The sides shared Regional 1 Midlands in both 2023–24 and 2024–25, with all four encounters proving difficult assignments for the Bulls.

Their most recent meeting produced one of the highest-scoring matches of Banbury's 2024–25 campaign.

Burton travelled to the Graf UK Stadium in March 2025 and emerged 52–43 winners from a contest featuring 95 points and 14 tries.

Earlier that season, Burton had also claimed a 46–24 victory at Battlestead Croft.

Recent Meetings
Burton have held the upper hand in the recent series.

March 2025 | Banbury 43–52 Burton
January 2025 | Burton 46–24 Banbury
February 2024 | Banbury 12–18 Burton
November 2023 | Burton 20–7 Banbury

The Bulls will therefore be seeking a first victory over Burton since the clubs became regular Regional 1 Midlands opponents.

The last trip to Battlestead Croft saw Banbury recover from a difficult opening period to reduce the deficit significantly during the second half, before Burton eventually pulled clear to secure a 46–24 victory.

Saturday offers Banbury an opportunity to produce a different outcome on their return to Staffordshire.

Key Focus Areas for Banbury
Building on Bromsgrove
The response to defeat at Stourbridge was an important one.

Banbury returned home and produced a 33–17 victory against a Bromsgrove side that had arrived at the Graf UK Stadium above them in the early standings.

Maintaining that momentum and backing up the performance with another positive showing will now be the focus.

Starting Strongly
Banbury experienced first-hand how difficult Battlestead Croft can be when Burton established an early advantage in the corresponding fixture during 2024–25.

The Bulls will want to settle quickly this time around, establishing territory and avoiding giving the hosts early momentum.

Respecting Burton's Attacking Threat
Burton's league position does not tell the entire story of their opening month.

Their 55-point victory away at Moseley Oak demonstrated their ability to punish opposition when opportunities arise, while they have scored 119 points across their opening four league fixtures.

Banbury will need to maintain their defensive organisation and avoid giving the hosts straightforward opportunities to build pressure.

Set-Piece Platform
Reliable possession from scrum and lineout remains central to giving Banbury the platform from which to play.

Establishing that foundation will be particularly important away from home, where controlling territory and possession can help limit periods of sustained pressure.

Discipline and Territory
The Bulls have already demonstrated their ability to win difficult matches away from home this season.

Victories at Syston and Broadstreet came in contrasting circumstances, but both required Banbury to manage important periods of the game effectively.

Similar composure will be required at Battlestead Croft, particularly when it comes to discipline and field position.

Taking Opportunities
Recent meetings between Banbury and Burton have shown that points can come quickly when games begin to open up.

The Bulls have scored 123 points across their opening four fixtures and will want to continue converting possession and territory into points when opportunities emerge inside the Burton 22.

Clinical finishing could again prove crucial in determining the outcome.

Final Thoughts
Banbury head to Staffordshire with three victories from four and having responded positively to their first setback of the campaign.

Wins over Syston, Broadstreet and Bromsgrove have lifted the Bulls into fourth place during an encouraging opening month under Tongaʻuiha and Goode.

Burton's start has produced contrasting results, but a 55–14 away victory at Moseley Oak and their strong fourth-place finish in Regional 1 North West last season demonstrate the challenge awaiting Banbury.

Recent history also provides added motivation, with Burton having won the last four meetings between the clubs.

For the Bulls, Saturday represents an opportunity to build on last weekend's home victory, strengthen their position in the early Regional 1 Midlands standings and change the recent narrative against a familiar opponent.

Burton RFC vs Banbury RUFC
Saturday 24th October 2026
Battlestead Croft, Branston Road, Tatenhill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9FF
Kick-off: 3:00pm

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