The game got off to the worst start for the Bulls as they conceded a penalty from the kick off which Bournville fly half Alex Warner slotted between the posts from 40 metres out.

Worse was to come as the home side, playing their rugby at Birmingham University, scored their first try of the match in the fifth minute. Some good build up work which saw their forwards and backs combine well to drive deep into Bulls territory and from a ruck just 12 metres out their scrum half passed down a very narrow but unprotected blind side for their big 2nd row Simon Homer to score. Once again Warner was accurate with the boot slotting a difficult conversion for a 10 point lead.

Once the Bulls were able maintain possession of the ball they started to make inroads into the Bournville defence, recycling through numerous phases to get themselves to within 10 metres of the try line. Some off side play resulted in a penalty to Banbury in front of the posts and fly half Mike Smith put the ball between the posts to reduce the deficit to 10-3.

As the game entered the 2nd quarter of the game the Bulls had their worst period, firstly a penalty awarded to the home side was quickly taken catching the Bulls defence in disarray resulting in a try to fullback Rob Brown and Warner adding the extras.

Five minutes later and Warner stretched the Bournville lead by another three points with a penalty kick from a handy position.

Having been rocked by those quick fire tries the Bulls gradually settled down and with an even share of possession started to gain some parity in the match, however their ability to take full toll of the opportunities they created let them down.

A try late in the half to Bournville scrum half Alex Ward pretty much sealed Banbury’s fate as the home side went into the break with a handy 25-3 lead.

The second half was a much more even affair. In fact the Bulls probably had a greater share of possession and territory.

Eventually the Bulls managed to cross over the line to score. Speeding the game up by continually taking quick tap penalties the Bulls were justly rewarded for their endeavour with a try to number eight Simon Brand. It came from one of these quick penalties with captain Eddie Phillips taking the ball to the defence before off loading to Brand who cut a superb angle to bust through and run in to score. The conversion attempt was wide but the Bulls had the momentum despite being 17 points behind.

They went straight back on attack and within the next 10 minutes came within inches of scoring as the forwards rumbled the ball towards the try line. Just a metre out Phillip went to the short side and stretched out to score only to fail by the smallest of margins to touch the ball on the white wash and at a second attempt knocked the ball on.

The home side spent little time in the Bulls twenty two in the entire half but when they did it resulted in a controversial try. Having repelled their attempts to score that all important fourth try with some sterling defence the Bulls turned the ball over and won a scrum feed. Under pressure Brand picked the ball up and drove away from the line in the tackle of the Bournville open side flanker. As they went to ground the flanker made no attempt to roll out of the tackle area and allow Brand to place the ball back and should have been penalised, however play was allowed to continue and Bournville secured possession and drove over for Rob Griffin to score.

The final scoring action of the game was a long range effort from inside their own half that was finished off by scrum half Ward who was rewarded for his excellent support play. The conversion attempt finished off the days scoring action and a 39-8 victory to Bournville.

Bulls coach Grant Holmes was upbeat about his side’s performance despite the final score line.

“We played some very good rugby during the game without being able to turn pressure into points, whereas their conversion rate from creating chances and taking those chances was very good. This is something that we need to learn to do, we tend to be a little rushed when we get ourselves in good positions but I think the key is our fitness levels. Too many of our guys are below the fitness level they need to be at to make a real impact in this league. We are more than capable of creating chances but when we need to land that killer blow we tend to be a little disorganised because we don’t have the right players in the right place and this comes down to being fit enough to get to where you need to be.”

“Our injury toll still plagues us. Yesterday’s side was made up of three props in the front row, a hooker in the back row and a scrum half on the wing, this doesn’t help our cause but they all stepped up and put in a good shift, while debutant Will Oldham showed that he has played rugby at a very good standard with a man of the match performance.”

“Despite the two week break we have just had, many of our injuries are long term, however I am hopeful that we will get a few back for this weekend and then most should be ready to return in the New Year. This will give us a big boost as we are in need of a win to reduce the gap between us and the teams in mid table and to also give us some much needed momentum.”

“Every time we come off the pitch our opponents are full of praise for the way we have played the game and are surprised that we are near the bottom of the table with just one win to our names. It’s a nice gesture but just adds to our frustration as we know that we are a side capable of competing at this level, but to do so we need to make a greater commitment.”

“We should be able to build on this performance and by becoming a lot more clinical and taking our chances turn encouraging performances into victories.”