The Bulls came out to sunny and blue-skied Graf UK Ltd Stadium off the back of a brave performance last time out against Derby at Haslams Lane. With an ever-increasing injury list, the Bulls went into battle again welcoming some returning faces but also the core of the squad in recent weeks for the last match of the season.

The match started with a yellow card for the Bulls, Jack Briggs was sent for ten minutes for an adjudged deliberate knock on. Almost straight after Bridgnorth struck first with some good offloading freeing up space for the visitors to touch down. The try was converted [0-7]. The Bulls grew into the match and were next to strike through Owen Wildgoose. In their first meaningful spell of possession Sean Woollard and George Ding made great progress in midfield before the backs took over by going wide finding Wildgoose to score in the corner. The conversion was missed [5-7]. The Bulls went ahead minutes later though Dan Tooth. Through a brilliant try from the backs Wildgoose and Quinten Blythe combined down the left wing before offloading to Tooth on the inside to score to the left of the posts. The try was converted [12-7]. The Bulls extended their lead moments later through James Leonardi. With a perfectly timed kick through from Blythe that finds Loic Radegonde on the run, he gathers and offloads to an on rushing Leonardi on the inside to score for the Bulls. The try was converted [19-7]. Next saw both teams go down to fourteen after a big scuffle brought two yellow cards. Despite the departure of two more players in the match, the Bulls kicked on and extended their lead further. From the lineout, a ball over the top was regathered by the Bulls and offloaded to Ding who powered over the line for Banbury. The try was converted [26-7]. In the final five minutes Bridgnorth finished the half with their second score of the afternoon. With a strong play from their forwards, they carried short continually gaining territory which brought their try next to the posts. The try was converted [26-14].

At the close of the half it was Banbury who were ahead. After a tough start for the Bulls, they responded with four tries in a row. Bridgnorth added a late try at the end of the half, the second half was all to play for in the second period.

Half Time - Banbury 26-14 Bridgnorth

The half started with the Bridgnorth striking first. With a bright start to the second half the visitors used a good offload game to score in the corner. The conversion was missed [26-19]. The Bulls used the next ten minutes well gaining territory and playing in the Bridgnorth half. It was from a return that Wildgoose claimed the ball and ran in an impressive sixty metre try for Banbury. The conversion was missed [31-19]. Bridgnorth not accepting defeat responded with an increase in tempo. The Bridgnorth backs used the ball well using the outside backs with the outside centre going over to the left of the posts for the visiors. The conversion was missed [31-24]. The next fifteen minutes saw possession go back anf forth with neither side making a breakthrough. The Bulls came close but not quite making it over the line. Right on time, the Bulls broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance from Leonardi. A fantastic run down the right wing brought the momentum needed for Blythe to continue and cut through a fractured defence. The try was converted [38-24]. It was the Bulls to finish the scoring of the afternoon with a perfect ending to a brillant performance. Dan Tooth secured his second try of the afternoon from a Bridgnorth knock on that was excellently scooped up Tooth and run in to a roaring Bulls crowd, finished off with a dive over the line. The try was converted [43-26].

On the final whistle the Banbury came away with the win. After a tough few weeks for the Bulls it was a fantastic way to finish the league season. From one to eighteen all were brilliant and very much deserve the celebrations to come. Next week, the Bulls travel to Oxford Harlequins in the first of their Papa Johns Community Cup matches in Regional 1 Championiship Pool 3 on 13th April.

Full Time - Banbury 43-26 Bridgnorth

Player of the Match

James Leonardi for a solid performance in the forwards, a great try and led by example all afternoon.

Banbury
Starting XV
15 Quinten Blythe; 14 Owen Wildgoose; 13 Daniel Tooth; 12 James Miller; 11 Loic Radegonde; 10 Oscar Triggs; 9 Edward Phillips;
1 James Leonardi; 2 Ethan Gudge; 3 Sean Woollard; 4 William McCubbin; 5 Richard Phillips; 6 George Ding; 7 Jack Briggs; 8 Matt Dandy;

Replacements
16 Matthew Rabiasz; 17 Dan Kirwin; 18 Alexander Garbett;

Bridgnorth
Starting XV
15 Manasa Qio Volaikisuva; 14 Luke Brough; 13 Evan Watts; 12 Patrick Smallman; 11 Jordan Burgess; 10 Gareth Bladen; 9 Benjamin Ritson;
1 Jonah Boyce; 2 George Newman; 3 Ben Morris; 4 Joseph Cave; 5 Ben Rochelle; 6 Haloti Molitika; 7 Adam Ellis; 8 Connor Nicholls;

Replacements
16 Russell Gauden; 17 James Williamson; 18 James Chattoe;