After the short trip down the M40 Bromsgrove arrived at the Graf in what was set for a great contest. It was a tough start for the Bulls, from a well-worked move from the Bromsgrove backs a long pass was thrown out wide and from a resulting offload they touched down the first score of the afternoon, try converted [0-7]. The Bulls found themselves under more pressure moments later when they were adjudged to be offside. Bromsgrove opted to shoot for goal which was successful [0-10]. After a quiet period in play, it was the Bulls next to strike in the contest. Charlie Cranley benefited from an excellent and silky move from the backs to put him in to round around to place the ball under the posts, and the try was converted [7-10]. Not long after the Bulls were found with their hands in the ruck and were punished again by a successful kick at goal from Bromsgrove [7-13]. After another quiet spell in the game, it was the Bulls who had the lion's share of possession occupying the Bromsgrove twenty-two but with excellent defence from the visitors not able to break the line. As the game moved on it was Bromsgrove who received the first card of the afternoon. After multiple warnings, the ref went to his pocket and it was fifteen vs fourteen. Moments later, the Bulls put together an excellent passage of play. Coming from the backs, they managed to switch the play in double quick time from the left-hand side and over to the right. Quinten Blythe the receiver drew his man before supplying a deft offload for the onrunning Owen Wildgoose who touched down in the clubhouse corner. Conversion missed [12-13]. Not long after the game got back underway the half was called with Bromsgrove just ahead after a quick start. With Banbury right back in it, the stage was set for the second hald

Half Time - Banbury 12-13 Bromsgrove

The Bulls were straight out of the blocks after the interval with Wildgoose continuing from where he left off at the end of the first half. A brilliant run is met with a dominant collision where he goes over for his second of the afternoon. Try converted [19-13]. Not long after Bromsgrove were reduced to fourteen again, after an off-the-ball incident which saw Alex Nicholls not able to continue, and we saw the introduction of Matt Goode. The penalties kept coming to Bromsgrove when they were penalised and for holding on, Oscar Triggs secured the three points for Banbury [22-13]. After a period of steady possession, it was at the lineout where the referee penalised Banbury for taking too long and presented the visitors with a free kick. Bromsgrove used this to their advantage, with a well-worked move from their forwards they touched down to cut the lead to two. Try converted [22-20]. The visitors began to grow into the game again after their try gaining important territory and confidence in tow. Drawing a penalty out of the Bulls for a high tackle they made it count again by adding three points to the board to take the lead with the clock running down [22-23]. As the Bulls entered the final five minutes they knew they needed something special to swing the game back in their favour. An excellent piece of defence saw Matt Goode draw the penalty for holding on leaving Oscar Triggs a shot at goal for the match. From 35 metres out up stepped Triggs with a monster of a boot which saw the ball sail over the posts to win it at the death [25-23]. In an incredible end-to-end contest, Bromsgrove deserved their well-earned losing bonus point and the Bulls a big four points to take forward. Next week, the Bulls travel to Broadstreet. Thank you to everyone who supported this afternoon, a great atmosphere which brought the noise

Full Time - Banbury 25-23 Bromsgrove

Player of the Match - Presented by The Loop Co

Oscar Triggs for his great composure to slot the winning penalty and fantastic overall performance.
Thank you to The Loop Co who presented the award and for all their support this season.

Banbury
Starting XV
15 Quinten Blythe; 14 Owen Wildgoose; 13 Daniel Hale; 12 James Miller; 11 Charlie Cranley;
10 Oscar Triggs; 9 Sam Cox
1 James Leonardi; 2 Ethan Gudge; 3 Sean Woollard; 4 William Thurlow; 5 James Page;
6 George Ding; 7 Alexander Nicholls; 8 Matt Dandy;

Replacements
16 Soane Tongauiha; 17 Matt Goode; 18 Joe Mills;

Bromsgrove
Starting XV
15 Ross Attwood; 14 Oliver Ingram; 13 Thomas Cubitt; 12 Edward Spalding; 11 Jordan Maddocks; 10 William Tanner; 9 William Harris
1 Christopher Romano; 2 James Gunther; 3 Finn Haynes; 4 Jack Medley’ 5 Alex Wilkinson; 6 Richard Hance; 7 Thomas Hardwick; 8 Drew Harper

Replacements
16. William Parkes; 17. George Meader; 18 Samuel Brown