Kenilworth had a tough campaign last season and have been relegated from the Midlands West 1 (level 6) division. The 1st 10-15 minutes of the match suggested it was going to be a tough challenge with no side really gaining any advantage. Once Banbury had settled though, they really stepped up their game.

Joe Mills was the 1st to get on the scoresheet. The Phillips brothers combined well coming off the back of a scrum, Chris releasing brother Eddie. Eddie then popped a ball to Joe Mills who was running a nice line and he used his skill and pace to run untouched under the posts. Eddie converted and Banbury took a 7-0 lead.

A lovely break from Banbury led to their 2nd try. Freddie Cracknell nearly chipped through for a try in the corner but Kenilworth managed to get the ball out for a Banbury lineout. Pete Boulton looked like he scored from the resulting lineout but the mass of bodies made it hard for the referee to give. Chris Phillips made the referee’s mind up though as he regathered and snuck over the line. Eddie converted and it was 14-0.

Some good work from the Banbury pack brought about the next try. The ball was stolen from a lineout and Banbury reacted quicker to punish the situation. Sam Stoop throwing a lovely pass to pull the opposition out of position and Jimmy Manley was there to score his 1st try of the match. A simple conversion for Eddie made it 21-0.

Kenilworth got their 1st points of the match when they punished a mistake from Banbury. Chris Phillips trying to find brother Eddie again off the back of a scrum. But the Kenilworth scrum half was alert and intercepted the pass running in unopposed for a Kenilworth try. The try was converted to make it 21-7.

Banbury responded quickly with great work from the forwards. Relentless phase after phase from the pack saw Banbury go from the halfway line to the Kenilworth try line. Pete Boulton looked like he’d scored but again the referee didn’t award the try. Ian Isham was there quickly to regather and crash over for another Banbury try. Eddie, on fire with the boot, converted another and it was 28-7.

Banbury had another try on the board before half time. This time a nice break down the right saw Eddie Phillips in a footrace for the try line. Eddie decided quickly this wasn’t a race he was going to win and drew the contact before releasing Jimmy Manley. The Banbury centre cruised in under the posts and a simple conversion left the score 35-7 at halftime.

The 2nd half started the way the 1st finished. Kenilworth kicked from deep in their own 22. Eddie Phillips took the ball well under pressure and immediately released Joe Mills. Mills quickly shipped the ball on to Freddie Cracknell and there was no catching the pacey winger. Cracknell cut in from his wing and touched the ball down under the posts. An easy conversion for Eddie and it was quickly 42-7.

Minutes later and Cracknell was scoring again. Brilliant work from the Banbury pack saw them win a scrum against the head. The ball was shipped wide quickly, George Grieve releasing Cracknell and he outpaced the Kenilworth winger to sneak in the corner. Possibly the mullet hairstyle gave him the aerodynamic advantage over the opposition wingers afro. Eddie’s conversion attempt from the side-line fell just short but the score was 47-7.

The tries kept coming for Banbury, good work again from the forwards saw Banbury deep in the opposition 22. Eventually the ball came out to the backs, Sam Stoop launching the ball out wide to Joe Mills. Mills drew the last defender before passing to George Grieve who touched down for another try. It was a clinical move from the whole team. Eddie continued his fine form with the boot with a tough conversion and it was 54-7.

Kenilworth scored next, taking advantage of a 5 on 3 down the blind side. Good hands and good decisions put the Kenilworth winger in and he dived into the corner. He picked himself up for a side-line conversion but unfortunately for the winger the ball came back off the crossbar. A nice try to make it 54-12.

More good work from the forwards saw Banbury straight back in the opposition 22. Eddie Philips pulled the defence to the left with a sideways run before popping a pass behind him to the onrushing Nick Pratt. Kenilworth couldn’t keep him out and he bundled his way over from short range. Eddie converted and Banbury had extended their lead to 61-12.

Not to be outdone by the forwards, the backs for Banbury got the next score. Joe Mills chipped through for Freddie Cracknell who returned the favour by kicking 1st time and putting Joe Mills in for his 2nd try of the game. Another side-line kick for Eddie and another successful conversion made it 68-12.

Kenilworth got a late consolation try. Banbury failed to clear their lines when the ball was kicked through and after several phases Kenilworth were within touching distance of the Banbury try line. A quickly taken penalty and a powering run put Kenilworth in under the posts. A simple conversion and the score line looked a little more respectable at 68-19.

Banbury had the final say though. Keeping up the pressure for 80 minutes. A penalty to Banbury 5 metres out was taken quickly by Sam Stoop. His cross field caught the Kenilworth defence and the Banbury Media team sleeping and Dan Brady was there to catch the ball before touching the ball down for a nice try. Eddie missed his final conversion but the Banbury scrum-half had a great game, making 9 out of his 11 kicks. The full-time whistle followed leaving the final score 73-19.

Banbury’s next game is their home league opener against Witney on Saturday 2nd of September. Kick off at 3pm.

1. Ian Isham
2. Giles Saar
3. Pete Boulton
4. Ed Harden
5. Nick Pratt
6. Angus Johnson
7. Sam Mills
8. Chris Phillips
9. Ed Phillips
10 Sam Stoop
11. Pete Burke
12 Jimmy Manley
13 George Grieve
14. Freddie Cracknell
15. Joe Mills

16. Ken Kay
17. Jacob Mills
18. Kallum Dixey
19. Matt Goode
20. Jack Briggs
21. Dan Brady

Try scorers: Freddie Cracknell (2), Joe Mills (2), Jimmy Manley (2), Chris Phillips, Ian Isham, Nick Pratt, George Grieve, Dan Brady.