Match reporting by Chris 'Cakes' Phillips, action photos by Simon Grieve.

Bodicote Park - Saturday 12th September 2015

The early period of the first half was dominated by Spartan possession. Banbury were not able to keep hold of possession and as Spartans started to build momentum Banbury started to slip off a few tackles. However, the line stayed intact and Banbury held Spartans at bay. Perhaps against the run of play, Banbury opened the scoring. Keeping hold of the ball they were able to move up the field and some good offloading in contact by the forwards on the edge of the 22 enabled Josh Deegan to snipe round the side of the ruck and beat the cover defence to the line. Converted by Alex Stevenson, 7-0.

Spartan continued to pressure and this time it told, as they gained territory inside the 22. Eventually Banbury ran out of defenders and a good period of play from Spartans saw them go over in the corner with a well executed overlap. Converted from the touchline 7-7.
Banbury were next to strike after a piece of good fortune. Stevenson’s attempted penalty from the 10m was off target, but the ball was knocked on 5m out. Banbury’s scrum had been under a lot of pressure until this point but a stronger platform enable the backs to execute a training ground move perfectly as Mills went over in the corner. 12-7.

A turn around in fortunes at the scrum for Banbury, with Spartan making the smaller home pack creak. This pressure continued as the forwards work hard and well around the fringes eventually crashing over to level the scores.12-12.

On the stroke of half time Spartans made more pressure count with a drop goal to take them into the break 12-15 to the good.
Banbury come out after the break with more purpose.

A kick into the Spartans 22, which should have been easily dealt with went the other way. With plenty of time the fullback threw a loose pass, which was hacked through by Boyle. Gathered by Goode, the passing was inside and out between Goode, Boyle, and Heywood before Goode (pictured) went over for the first of his brace. Converted 19-15.

Banbury played more of the rugby this half but the game was still very much in the balance. Banbury repelled Spartan attacks deep into the 22 with good turnovers and big clearance kicks from Goode and Stevenson. A penalty kicked to the corner and good recycling from the forwards after having to tidy up a loose lineout gave Banbury another opportunity inside the 22. The backs linked well and again looked to show how dangerous they could be with ball in hand as Goode went over for his second. 24-15.

Spartans continued to build and pressure the home side. A backs move out wide saw the winger kick over and win the foot race to dot down in the corner. 24-20.

A hard fought win for the home side, with some positives, somethings to build on, and some to work on. Good performances from; debutant Ken Kay in the front row, after replacing fellow debutant Ian Isham for an injury, Josh Deegan, veteran number 8 Simon Brand, and a brace of tries for Matt Goode were all positives for Banbury.