The Bulls side saw a mixture of youth and experience with Anthony Mclellan making his debut on the flank and returning flanker Chris Phillips stepping up to deputise in the front row.

The weather was fine at Devles Road as the new season started in earnest and the opening exchanges between the two sides were brisk. However the intervention of the referee for Banbury offences at the breakdown allowed the home side to set up some good attacking lineout in the Bulls 22.

A well-executed catch-and-drive pushed the Bulls defence back and opened up a space for Walsall's No 8, Dickson, to dive through a gap from 5 metres out to open the scoring. With the home fly-half, Wood, easily converting Banbury found themselves 7-0 down in short time.

Things were to continue poorly for the visitors who, although competing well at set-piece found themselves unable to really threaten the Walsall tryline. Momentum was proving to be difficult to build for both sides as the new breakdown laws were very strictly policed by the referee. However it was the home side that were to next trouble the scoreboard when a good break by the Walsall centres got behind the Bulls defence. From the resulting ruck the ball popped loose, where it was scooped up by the Walsall second row, Gonzalez, who then showed his speed by running in to score from 20 metres out. This time the conversion was unsuccessful but Walsall now had a handy 12-0 lead after just 20 minutes.

Any thoughts that the match would run away from the visitors were swiftly put to one side and Banbury were able to put together some more flowing periods of play with winger Sam Boyle looking lively. In fact it was a break by Boyle that gave Banbury there most dangerous attacking position in the Walsall 22. As the Bulls looked to take advantage of an overlap on the Banbury left, a deliberate knock on ended their attack and Mike Smith kicked the resultant penalty to get the visitors on the score board at 12-3.

The remainder of the half continued in the same vein without much flowing rugby from either team as the referee's whistle continued to dominate. And it was to be yet another breakdown penalty that gave Wood the chance to reinstate Walsall's 12 point lead, which he duly did giving a half-time score of 15-3.

Although down on the scoreboard and struggling with breakdown penalties, it was clear that Banbury were by no means out of the game and not long after the break they put together their strongest passage of play. Breaks into the Walsall 22 by Boyle and outside-centre Pete Papenfus put the homeside under pressure and when a defensive lineout was simply tapped back, skipper Sean Bannister was on hand to collect the loose ball and muscle his way over for Banbury's first try. Smith was on target with the kick and the match looked different now at 15-10.

With Banbury looking to get back into the game it was to be a controversial decision from the referee that seem to turn the game back Walsall's way. From an excellent clearance kick deep into Banbury 22, Walsall forced a scrum 15 metres out. A simple pick and go from the base of the scrum saw the home side attack the blind side and some good handling seemed to put the winger, Weston, in for the score. However the cover tackling seemed to have done enough to put the attacker into touch and despite the young touch judge raising his flag, the referee seemed inclined to award the try. Afer a brief conversation between touch judge and referee this is exactly what happened and Walsall had stretched their lead again to 20-10.

Despite this setback Banbury were not out of the game yet and a quick tap penalty followed by some excellent support play gave Boyle the chance to step inside the cover defence and score. Smith was wide with the kick but Banbury were back in the game at 20-15.

However there was to be no comeback as two further penalties allowed Walsall to stretch their lead to 26-15 and the final blow came 10 minutes from time. A good break took the homeside to within 5 metres of the Banbury line where quick rucking allowed winger Pittaway to notch the bonus point score for Walsall. To add insult to injury Banbury full-back Guy Sturla was yellow-carded for a breakdown infringement leading up to the final score.

Banbury, now 33-15 points down, continued to battle and despite a spell of pressure in the Walsall 22 the match ended before Banbury could add to their score.

Whilst a loss is never easy to take, Banbury should take heart that they were never outplayed by a strong Walsall side and can take confidence from the fact that they will be able to compete and push all teams in this new league.

Banbury face a tough test as they welcome Bournville to Bodicote Park for their opening home game of the league season this Saturday, kick-off 3pm.