With Witney plying their trade in South West 1, James Kerr’s Bulls could have expected a long evening. However, it was the Bulls who started the stronger and were quickly two tries up.

A clever bit of footballing by Jed Boyle and Joe Mills side-stepping his way through the defence, plus the Big Pickle slotting both conversions, saw the Bulls 14-0 up at half time.

Despite being up against a physically bigger pack, Banbury’s forwards were easily a match. Great communication saw the Bulls mixing the plays and keeping Witney on the back foot. When the ball was released the Banbury backs looked very composed. The error-count was low and at times they looked deadly in the loose, with 'new' boy Matt Goode (pictured) adding both power and pace.

Many changes by both sides at the turn-around broke the flow a bit and the game was more equally balanced for 20 minutes. Witney then showed good pace with an interception for the first of their three tries, but overall it was the Bulls fitness and determination to do well that decided the game outcome.

Matt Goode scored his first Bulls try as he hit the defence at pace from 20m out, and then Carl Daniels sealed the result for Banbury as he dragged three defenders over the line. John Fox also slotted the two conversions for a very credible 28-19 victory for Banbury. Many new faces in the Bulls line-up, but a special mention for prop Joe Castle who has seamlessly stepped up from last season's Colts.

Very early days but Bulls supporters should be very excited about the season to come!

Click here to jump to two photo albums of the evening's action.