On a brisk but dry start, the match started right from the off. With ten minutes gone on the clock, the visitors struck first. From a kick in behind Nuneaton made the most of a penalty advantage, the following bounce was favourable and the winger regathers to score. The conversion was unsuccessful [0-5]. Moments later the visitors saw yellow. With Nuneaton adjudged to have obstructed play at the breakdown, they went down to fourteen for ten minutes. The Bulls took advantage straight away through Tommy Gray. From an attacking scrum five metres out, the ball was swiftly thrown out to the backs with an expectant Gray who, with a throw of a dummy pass, saw him duck over under the posts unchallenged. The conversion was successful [7-5]. The Bulls extended their lead at the turn of the first quarter. From a fantastic linebreak, Dan Hale took the ball up the pitch with all the Banbury backs in support, with a pass to Quinten Blythe and a resulting offload Gus Stapleton perfectly received the ball to go over for Banbury’s second of the afternoon. The conversion was successful [14-5]. Heading into the second quarter the visitors came back to life with a mazing run up the pitch resulting in the number eight going over from close range. The conversion was successful [14-12]. After the visitors’ score, the second quarter was well-contested until the final moments. The final action of the half came from the visitors. With the Bulls slow to the mark Nuneaton took their opportunity by capitalising in the corner. The conversion was missed [14-17].

After a mixed start for the Bulls, there is more to give in the second half and another level to reach to finish strongly. In a close game, it was for the Bulls to go after the win.

Half Time - Banbury 14-17 Nuneaton

The second half started brightly for the Bulls. Not long from the kickoff the Bulls secured their third try of the afternoon. From an excellently executed pass, despite a late hit, Gray offloaded to Blythe who touched down in the corner. The conversion was successful [21-17]. The visitors hit back in an action-packed first ten minutes of the second half. From a Bulls turnover on halfway, Nuneaton managed to engineer the ball back into their possession and touch town to the left of the posts. The conversion was successful [21-24]. Tries came thick and fast at the start of the half, next was Blythe in for his second of the day. From a strong carry by Ed Berridge that put the defence on the back foot, it was Blythe from the next phase who went over for his second try of the match. The conversion was successful [28-24]. Moments later, Nuneaton saw yellow again in the last act of the third quarter. From a Banbury chip in behind a late hit came in off the ball which was seen by the referee. Heading into the final quarter the visitors were down to fourteen again. The final quarter was dominated by Banbury. First, Banbury secured their fourth try of the afternoon from Gus Stapleton. From a poorly executed kick by Nuneaton, the Bulls run the ball up from Gray who offloads to Stapleton on the inside shoulder to go over. The conversion was successful [35-24]. Things then went from bad to worse for Nuneaton as they went down to thirteen. From words said after the score the referee brandished the yellow card. In the last act of the match, the Bulls finished off a great half after finding their rhythm. The final try of the match came from Joe Mills. After Nuneaton had cleared their lines they failed to make touch. Reclaiming the ball, Gray ran the play back up the field, stepping through the Nuneaton defence before offloading again off his shoulder, but this time to Mills who ran a perfect line to score try number six for the Bulls. The conversion was successful [42-24].

After a scrappy start, the Bull found their rhythm in the second half to add five more points to the table. The Bulls are back on the road next week as they travel to Stourton Park to face Stourbridge.

Full Time - Banbury 42-24 Nuneaton

Player of the Match - Presented by SE-Solicitors.

Congratulations to today's Banbury Player of the Match, Ed Berridge. A fantastic individual performance from Ed, kept the Bulls on the front foot all afternoon and was unlucky not to get himself a try of his own - a well-deserved Player of the Match Award.

Thank you to match sponsor SE-Solicitors who presented the award.

Banbury
Starting XV
15 Quinten Blythe; 14 Gus Stapleton; 13 Dan Hale; 12 Oscar Triggs; 11 Charlie Cranley; 10 Tommy Gray; 9 Sam Cox;
1 James Leonardi; 2 Kelvyn Togia; 3 Simon Bailey; 4 Louis Tooth; 5 Will Thurlow; 6 James Hibbert; 7 Matt Dandy; 8 Ed Berridge;

Replacements
16 Sean Woollard; 17 Jack Briggs; 18 Joseph Mills;

Nuneaton
Starting XV
15 Michael Volaikisuva; 14 Takudzwa Chawadya; 13 Harry Beverley; 12 Ryan Preston; 11 Travis Bennett-Allcock; 10 Joseph Wilson; 9 Ben Kirby;
1 James Redman; 2 Louis Addleton; 3 Benjamin Dawes; 4 Ben Haywood; 5 James Moreton; 6 Rudi Reid; 7 Arron Skyrme; 8 Martin Wood

Replacements
16 Ryan Marsh; 17 Thomas Aherne; 18 Lucas Brindley;