On paper, this seemed like it was going to be a very close encounter. Old Northamptions finishing just outside the promotion places in 3rd in the Midlands East 1 (Level 6) division last season. This proved to be the case throughout with no side ever being more than 1 score ahead.

Old Northamptonians took an early lead. A quickly taken penalty caught the Banbury defence out, followed by some slick passing saw ON sneak in the corner to take an early 0-5 advantage.

Banbury responded quickly though. Freddie Cracknell made a darting run from close to the half way line and was stopped only metres short from what would have been a fantastic solo effort. The ball was recycled quickly though and a looping pass from Sam Stoop saw Tommy Gray get his 1st try of the match. Eddie Phillips pushed his 1st kick just wide to the left leaving the score 5-5.

Good pressure soon saw ON camped out in their own 22 after the restart but an incredible run from the ON full-back saw ON take the lead again. Some crazy side stepping and blistering pace left Banbury players clutching thin air. When Banbury had finally got hold of the ON full-back a lovely inside pass saw the ON centre run in under the posts unopposed. The kick was converted to make it 5-12.

In what seemed like a common theme for this match Banbury scored next. From a scrum on the halfway line Eddie Phillips nailed a kick in to the corner, forcing a tricky lineout 5 metres out for ON. The lineout throw was long and Chris Phillips was there to punish the mistake, crashing over from a couple metres out. Eddie made the kick and the scores were level at 12-12.

Banbury took their 1st lead of the game with arguably the best try of the match. New signings Pete Boulton and Tommy Gray combining for a great length of the pitch try. Pete Boulton making the initial break, finding a gap the front row will be dining out on for weeks before popping the pass to Tommy Gray. It was Grays’s turn to show off his side-stepping skills, burning the ON defence before scoring with an acrobatic dive under the posts. The try was converted and Banbury were 19-12 up.

ON were next to score, the ON full-back was looking dangerous again and he must have thought he had another assist to his name when he released their number 8 into the corner. Some brilliant Banbury defence kept him out but 2 phases later the ball was bundled over the line. A side-line conversion levelled the scores at 19-19 in what proved to be the final action of the 1st half.

Banbury kicked off the 2nd half but it was ON who scored next. A couple penalties against Banbury saw them pinned deep in their own half and eventually after a period of sustained pressure the ON fly-half darted over from a couple metres out. He failed to convert but ON had taken the lead again 19-24.

Banbury replied quickly though. From a scrum in the opposition 22, Banbury went down the blind side and a deft chip behind was collected by Tommy Gray to finish off his hattrick in the corner. A stunning debut and hopefully a sign of things to come this season. Joe Mills converted from a tight angle and Banbury were back in front 26-24.

The lead didn’t last long though. After a turnover Banbury cleared their lines but the ON backs return game was strong. More mazy running and a clever kick put the ON winger through and he won the footrace to touch the ball down for another try. The conversion was missed but ON had taken the lead again 26-29.

Banbury responded well though. A couple penalties for Banbury saw ON camped on their own 5 metre line desperate to relieve the pressure. A hurried kick from ON saw the ball shanked out for a Banbury lineout deep in the opposition 22. From the resulting lineout Ian Isham found his target and then gathered the ball at the back of the maul. Good work from the rest of the pack got Isham to within a couple metres of the try line and he peeled off the back to smash his way over for another Banbury try. Eddie Phillips nailed a tricky conversion and Banbury were back in front 33-29.

In a game where the lead changed 6 times, sadly for Banbury this was to be the final one. ON won a penalty from a scrum 5 metres out from the Banbury try line and another quickly taken penalty was finished off by the ON fly-half. He picked himself up but missed the conversion but importantly ON were back in front 33-34.

Banbury desperately tried to get the ball back but intelligent game management saw ON hold on for the win. A brilliant game where despite losing by 1 point, Banbury could take a lot of positives from the match.

Banbury’s next match will be at home on the 24th of August with a final preseason warm up against Kenilworth. Kick off at 7.45pm.