Match report by Alex Inch, photos by Simon Grieve

We’ve had Ali vs Foreman, McEnroe vs Borg, Senna vs Prost but Friday night saw Cracknell vs Johnson. Angus Johnson and Freddie Cracknell both play for Banbury and Brookes so to see them lining up on different sides added an extra dimension to an already exciting encounter.
Brookes started the game brightly, Giorgio Arricale kicking an early penalty after Banbury were penalised for hands in the ruck. Ed Phillips levelled through the boot to make it 3-3 in the early stages.

Banbury scored their first try of the match breaking from deep. Josh Deegan returning to 1st XV action after a shoulder injury made a lovely break, wriggling his way out of a couple tackles before slipping the ball out the back of his hand to George Grieve who outsprinted the Brookes defence to touch down under the posts. Ed Phillips kicked the extras to make it 10-3.

Banbury extended the lead with a lovely pre-designed play. From a scrum in the opposition 22 the Banbury backs swapped several quick passes before Alex Gandy burst his way through the static Brookes defence and touched down under the posts. Ed Phillips converted to increase the lead to 17-3.

Hugo Brown narrowed the gap. Brookes won a penalty 5 metres out and the tight head took a quick penalty before spinning and barging his way over from close range. The conversion was missed to leave the score 17-8.

Alex Gandy put Banbury back in control with a brilliant solo effort. After a rather risky through the legs pass from Brookes, Alex Gandy was there to punish the loose ball. The pacey winger showed incredible footwork to kick the ball multiple times along the ground whilst out sprinting the covering defence before touching the ball down just wide of the posts. Ed Phillips converted to make it 24-8.

Great work from the Banbury pack saw them win a scrum against the head. Sam Stoop got the ball wide quickly and George Grieve burst his way through a small gap in the Brookes defensive line. The centre threw a lovely dummy before putting his foot down and outsprinting the cover defence to touch down under the posts again. Another simple conversion for Ed Phillips increased the lead to 31-8. Freddie Cracknell got a yellow card just before the half time whistle.

Despite being a man down to start the second half it was Banbury who increased their lead. Nice work from the forwards got the Bulls to within touching distance of the try line before Sam Stoop darted his way over wide to the right. Ed Phillips converted, 38-8.

Good pressure from the Bulls had them 5 metres out before Banbury turned the ball over cheaply. Brookes looked like they’d score a length of the pitch try but an incredible effort from Alex Gandy saw him chase down the Brookes player, turn the ball over and recycle back on the Banbury side. A certain try saver and a huge morale boost to the Banbury players and fans.

Brookes did narrow the gap with a nice second half try. Luke Hughes made the initial break before popping the ball out the back of his hand to Tobias Hudson-Davies to score wide to the right. The conversion was missed but the lead narrowed to 38-13.

Ian Isham made a nice break from the halfway line and looked like he might score before being stopped just short. The ball was recycled quickly though and shipped wide to the backs. John Fox looping the ball to George Grieve who completed his hat-trick touching down in the Clubhouse corner. Ed Phillips missed a tricky side-line conversion but Banbury were back in charge, 43-13.

Fresh from his September Try of the Month victory Tommy Gray put in a strong contender for Octobers competition. Brookes kicked deep in to the 22, instead of calling for a mark, Tommy Gray broke from deep down the left touchline breaking three tackles before cutting inside. Showing he had plenty of stamina left he then outsprinted the covering defender before acrobatically diving his way over under the posts. Another simple conversion for Ed Phillips, 50-13.

Banbury still had time for one more score, Brookes were penalised for offside. Ed Phillips took a quick penalty before popping the ball to Jimmy Manley. Despite 3 defenders in close proximity the Banbury Centre crashed his way over close to the posts. Ed Phillips converted, 57-13. The game finished a little scrappy with discipline going out the window in the final moments. The referee handed out a yellow card for both sides before blowing the final whistle.

Not just a great result, this was a great performance from the Bulls. Alex Gandy was awarded Banbury’s Man of the Match, 2 brilliant tries and a covering tackle that lifted everyone at the DCS Stadium capped a brilliant performance. Credit should go to Oxford Brookes who never let their heads drop and kept fighting until the final whistle.

Speaking to Matt Goode after the game about the performance and result: “We wanted to win at all costs but some of the individual performances were brilliant. I wanted to have a little look at some of the guys that had stepped up from the 2’s to the 1’s and its now evident that we’ve got more depth than we’ve ever had. The boys that stepped up have put in some great performances.”

Speaking about some of the great tries “There was certainly a couple. I’m sure the highlights reel will be well worth a watch this week. I thought Tommy Gray’s individual try was phenomenal, Alex Gandy’s 2 tries set the tone for us at the beginning but the highlight for me was Alex Gandy tracking back to out gas their winger and take the ball off him. He was outstanding and well-deserved man of the match.”

On not playing this week: “I said I wanted to play less and I’ve played in every game so far so it was good to watch the boys play and to see them perform. All the boys from the 2’s are ex Academy Colts, it was good to see Callum Horne back in the mix and looking good.”

On next week’s top of the table clash against Old Patesians: “Every game I’m looking for a win, I’m looking for a performance. We know they’re going to be good, we know they’re going to be strong. We really need a good performance, they’re top of the league for a reason but if we perform we’ll be alright.”

Try scorers: George Grieve (3), Alex Gandy (2), Sam Stoop, Tommy Gray and Jimmy Manley.

Banbury Line-up:

15. Tommy Gray (Sponsored by: Edd Frost & Daughters)
14. Alex Gandy
13. George Grieve
12. Josh Deegan (Sponsored by: Allsafe Scaffolding)
11. Freddie Cracknell (Sponsored by: F M & P Consultancy)
10. Sam Stoop (Sponsored by: H Colegrave & Son)
9. Ed Phillips (Sponsored by: P Montanaro – ITSM Consultancy)

1. Ian Isham (Captain) (Sponsored by: Fieldcraft)
2. Steve Potter
3. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
4. Matt Brock
5. Sam Carr Archer
6. Giles Saar (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage)
7. Matthew Powell
8. Chris Phillips (Sponsored by: Lorne Alway)

Replacements:

16. Steven Nutt
17. Kallum Dixey
18. Callum Horne
19. John Fox (Sponsored by: Strutt & Parker)
20. Jimmy Manley (Sponsored by: Godiva Insurance)