Banbury Bulls battled to a hard-earned 17–10 win over Dudley Kingswinford in what can only be described as a game of two halves at the Graf UK Stadium. While the performance won’t win style points, the result adds another four valuable league points to the Bulls’ tally.

It was a brisk but dry afternoon, and the hosts wasted no time asserting early pressure. Their reward came after several phases of tight forward play on the DK try line, with Kelvyn Togia powering over for the opening try. The conversion was off target, but Banbury led 5–0.

Dudley Kingswinford responded with a penalty, taking advantage of Banbury’s failure to roll away at the breakdown to slot a long-range effort and cut the deficit to two.

The game hit a lull midway through the first half, with both sides struggling for fluency in a scrappy, stop-start affair. A deliberate knock-on from DK's second row saw him sent to the sin bin, and Banbury capitalised.

Quinten Blythe provided the spark, bursting down the right and producing a sublime offload to Togia, who finished brilliantly in the corner for his second of the afternoon. This time, the conversion was good, and the Bulls led 12–3 at the break.

Full Time - Banbury 17-10 Dudley Kingswinford

The second half began in more promising fashion, with Banbury showing better patience and control in the red zone. Sustained pressure eventually told, and Owen Wildgoose spotted a half-gap to dive over from close range. The missed conversion left the score at 17–3.

But DK weren’t done. Their forwards rallied, building momentum and eventually driving their No. 8 over the line. A successful conversion brought the score to 17–10 and set up a tense final quarter.

Despite some late pressure from the visitors, Banbury held firm. It wasn’t pretty, but the Bulls saw out the match to secure their third win on the bounce.

Full-time: Banbury 17–10 Dudley Kingswinford

Thank you to match sponsor TGL, who presented the award.

Player of the Match – Quade Leo
Leo put in a tireless shift, anchoring a Banbury pack that dug deep all afternoon. In a match dominated by forward play and grit, his work rate and consistency stood out. A fully deserved Player of the Match.

The Bulls now look ahead to next week’s trip to face Stourbridge at Stourton Park, aiming to build on their winning momentum.

Banbury
Starting XV
15 Quinten Blythe; 14 Owen Wildgoose; 13 Freddy Bunce; 12 Dan Hale; 11 Charlie Cranley; 10 Tommy Gray 9 Joe Mills;
1 James Leonardi; 2 Kelvyn Togia; 3 Quade Leo; 4 Doug Backhouse; 5 Will Thurlow; 6 Matt Dandy; 7 Jacob Drabble; 8 Jacob Turner

Replacements
16 Sean Woollard; 17 Louis Tooth; 18 Oliver Venni;

Dudley Kingswinford RFC
Starting XV

15 Ryan Smitheman; 14 Thomas Walker; 13 Stefan Shillingford; 12 William Hancox; 11 Adam Dainty; 10 Samuel Vaughan; 9 Harry Edwards;
1 Kieron Williams; 2 Jonathan McCormack; 3 Benjamin Rowley; 4 Dan Marsh; 5 Jess Smith; 6 James Ryan; 7 Joe Webster; 8 Peter Griffiths;

[b] Replacements [/b
16 Jake Thompson; 17 William Elsmore; 18 Alexander Deery;