Spring Lane, Malvern – Saturday 5th December 2015

Match report by Ed Phillips.

Malvern won the coin toss and elected to play into an extremely strong wind, but they might have bitten off more than they could chew. Despite Malvern the having the better of the opening exchanges and going in front through a penalty, Banbury were kick-started into action and they set about dominating the rest of the first half.

Robin Cooke opened his league account to make it two tries in two games since his Bulls debut. The Bulls had a scrum on the right of the pitch, a set move met a strong Malvern defence in mid field and full back Joe Mills threw a speculative wide pass that found Cooke in open space and yet again his pace was too much for the covering defenders. Phillips was off target with the extras. 5-3 Bulls.

Banbury continued to press and used the wind and strong ball carriers to gain field position, and added two penalties of their own through the boot of the skipper Phillips before he got on the score sheet with a try of his own. He put Sean Banister through a hole around the fringes and followed him, to receive the ball 10 metres out for a simple run in, and starting to find his form with the boot added the extras. 18-3.

Matt Goode was next on the score sheet with a bruising solo run. He ran straight over 3 or 4 Malvern defenders before out pacing two more to make it over for the Bulls third try of the half. Phillips missing to the left of the posts made it 23-3.

Banbury were starting build a big lead, but knew they had to make the most of the first half wind advantage, and they went in search of the bonus point before the break. At quick tap from Phillips on half way found Stoop who drew and passed to loose head prop Manu Paniagua (pictured) who tore down the wing and drew the full back to feed Joe Mills for the first of his brace. Another well worked Bulls try, and another conversation from Phillips made the score 30-3 at the break.

As the teams turned around the ultimate question was, how many points would the wind be worth? Well Banbury threw that debate wide open when they were the first team to score in the second half. Phillips took a cheeky 22 drop out to himself and fed Seamus O’Dwyer. Banbury then sucked in the home sides defence with forward runners before attacking wide on the left and exploiting the overlap, the ball then flowed through every pair of hands in the back line before Mill touched down under the posts. Leaving an easy conversion for Phillips 37-3.

Banbury weren't able to add to their tally, but were tested as Malvern continually pressed the Banbury line. The home side got on then score sheet, giving them hope, but Banbury held strong with some very impressive defence across the entire pitch till the final whistle. A bonus point away win for the league leaders, 37-8 at the finish.

Banbury remain in top spot and will continue their league campaign with their final home game of 2015 to Nuneaton Old Edwardians on Saturday 12th December, kick off 2:15 pm.