Bodicote Park - Friday 11th March 2016

Match report by Ed Phillips, video by Tim Cochrane & Simon Grieve, action photos by Simon Grieve.

It was a hard fought match across the park but Banbury outscored Quins 3 try’s to 1 and were deserved winners. This was an eagerly anticipated fixture. Banbury are high on confidence fuelled from a season of flying high at the top of Midlands Division 2 West (South), and Quins weren’t coming to make up the numbers, themselves in the top half of South West Division 1 East. The talk before the game was that the Oxford based side would have the edge up front and Banbury’s advantage would come in their three quarters.

Banbury kicked off playing towards the Oxford Road end of the ground. It was a still clear night, slightly heavy under foot but a perfect Friday night for rugby. Quins had the better for the opening exchanges, and looked fluid with the ball, they made ground up the field easily. Banbury gave away a penalty under the posts that Quins took advantage of by going 0-3 up, after having nearly crossed in the corner with the advantage from the infringement.

This would test the home sides resolve, and with a big home crowd behind them they responded and were next to get on the score board. Josh Deegan struck from first phase ball following a line out, showing the Bulls pack were up to the challenge. After setting the platform up front Ed Phillips fed Sam Stoop who found Matt Goode, the Banbury back line showed how well they work together as Deegan timed his run to perfection and latch on to Goode’s blind pass, stepping the full back to slide in just to the right of the posts. Phillips added the extras from the tee, Banbury were in front 7-3.

Banbury extended their lead with another try. This time they had to tidy up from their own line out, but did so effectively. Stoop spread the ball wide and Banbury made ground down the left. Adam Walsh combined with Joe Mills who in turn passed inside to the support of Jimmy Manley. Manley decided to step back inside when many thought he could have put Stoop in out wide, but off loaded to Jacob Mills who was taken over the line. Phillips again added the conversation, 15 metres in from touch, 14-3.

Oxford Harlequins entered Banbury’s 22 with a penalty kicked into the corner. Again Banbury infringed in front of the posts, and were able to keep Quins out with their advantage. Quins again took 3 points from their visit to Banbury’s territory. The half ended 14-6, Quins came away with points at both times of asking, but Banbury controlled territory and possession in the first period.

Banbury were in the box seats, and early in the first half extended their lead. From a scrum in the visitors 22. Stoop used Goode as a dummy running and hit Manley. Manley again stepped back rather then moving the ball on. This time he out muscled two men and dived over the line, Phillips continued his accuracy from the tee and made the score 21-6. The home crowd went from nervous to expectant with this score. Banbury had a chance for a 4th try but the ball was knocked on, with the blame still being debated by Manley and Mills.

Quins were really chasing the game now, this lead to errors creeping into the game, and the time was drifting by without anything really developing in the game. This suited Banbury who really started to believe the game was in the bag. No sooner had they took their foot off the gas, Quins got into their stride. Camped in the Banbury half, and mostly deep into the 22. Banbury defended well, but their try line was breached as Oxford Harlequins second row and Captain Allan Purchase smashed over. An important conversation was missed leaving the score 21-11 with 7 mins to go.

Banbury were awarded a penalty 40 metres out, straight in front of the posts. Up stepped Phillips and slotted the ball through the middle to extend the lead to 24-11 and more importantly took another minute out of the game. The final minutes were played in the Banbury 22. Banbury were determined not to concede again. Even when they knew it was the last play of the game the Bulls wanted to maintain the winning margin they deserved for controlling the game for such large periods.

Banbury held up a maul and the final whist was blown, the crowd cheered as the Banbury players punched the air and celebrated with the nearest Bull in sight. Oxford Harlequins were no push over, and while Banbury feel they were deserved winners, it shows the intensity they will have to play with for 80 minutes week in week out next year if they do seal promotion. Another test of this will come in the final on Wednesday 23rd March at 8pm at Iffley Road, Oxford. Where Banbury Bulls will face Henley Bulls in another tough game and a repeat of the 2013-14 semi-final.