On a glorious autumn day Banbury travelled to take on Stockwood Park in the second round of the Intermediate Cup. Stockwood Park currently lie mid-table in Midlands 2 East (South) and would be a good test for a Bulls side looking to bounce back after the previous weeks disappointment.

Banbury's side included a number of changes due to injury and unavailability with Tom Wilson notably making his first team debut at flanker.

With the weather perfect for running rugby and a pitch to match, conditions were ripe for a great game of rugby. And it was the home side who had the early pressure after kicking off. Their dominant scrum and efficient lineout was to serve them well all day, and Stockwood Park soon found themselves in the Banbury 22. But resolute defence from Banbury meant there were no clear chances for the home side.Indeed it was Banbury who were to come closest to opening the scoring when on two seperate occassions they made it to within 5 metres of the Stockwood Park line only for the chances to go begging.

It would seem that the visitors would rue these missed opportunities when after 20 minutes gone scrum-half Lovell broke through some week tackling on the Stockwood Park 22 metre line. Despite being caught by the scramble defence, the home side were able to recycle the ball well and prop forward Haque scored under the posts. With the easy conversion kicked, Bulls were 7-0 down.

But Banbury responded quickly and 3 minutes later centre Mike Smith slotted a penalty goal to make the score 7-3. The visitors then took the lead almost straight away. A good turnover by prop Rory Dymond in the Banbury 22 allowed the Bulls to run the ball from deep. Good interplay between forwards and backs combined with some quick ruck ball saw them gain good field position. With the Stockwood Park defensive line being stretched it took some simple passing along the line to feed winger Carl Daniels in space, who went in to score under the posts. Full-back Andy Joubert was on target with the conversion and Banbury led 10-7.

Banbury were to stretch their lead just ten minutes later when a stable scrum on the Stockwood Park 10 metre line allowed the Banbury backs to run a superb training ground move. This allowed centre James Heyward to fix his defender and pop pass to Joubert coming into the line. The full-back again produced another of his trademark strong and mazy runs to score wide out on the left. Whilst unable to convert his own try, He had put Banbury into a deserved 15-7 lead at half-time.

The visitors were to further stretch their lead shortly after half time. Stockwood Park kicked to clear from their 22 and the ball was well-fielded by young winger George Williamson. Some good interplay between the Banbury back three saw space created and when Joubert offloaded out of contact, flanker Wilson was on hand to take the pass and run in the try. Joubert was again on target and Banbury led 22-7. Things were to get even better for the visitors immediately from the restart.

A well-fielded kick quickly set the Bulls backs on their way, and good interpassing and offloading saw them make good ground. With the supporting forwards providing good, clean ruck ball the Bulls attacked the short side through Williamson. The young winger showed his skills by fixing his opposite man and passing in-field to skipper Ed Phillips just inside the Stockwood Park half. The scrum-half then showed a good turn of pace to run the try in under the posts, making the conversion by Joubert a formality and stretching the Banbury lead to 29-7.

Stockwood Park however responded quickly through a penalty goal to show that they were still in the game at 29-10, but Banbury seemed to seal the deal on 60 minutes when Richard Jeyes burst off the back of a well-worked maul from a lineout. Just 10 metres from the line, the Stockwood Park defenders were unable to contain the replacement back-row, who knocked over one defender and went over to score wide out on the left. The conversion was wide but Banbury had a commanding 34-10 lead.

But with 20 minutes still on the clock the Bulls were guilty of thinking the job was done and took their foot off the gas. Stockwood Park were to finish the stronger of the two teams, scoring an unconverted try through Number 8 Griffin who benefitted from a strong rolling maul close to the Banbury line. This was followed up two minutes from time by another unconverted try to Stockwood Park's centre Hankey.

But Banbury had gone too far ahead either side of half-time for Stockwood Park to catch up and in the end ran out comfortable winners 34-20.

The Bulls will look to take this travelling form with them when they make the trip to Droitwich next Saturday as they return to League action.