Bodicote Park – Saturday 20th February 2016

Match report by Ed Phillips, action photos & video clip by Simon Grieve.

The rain held off, there was a stiff (ish) wind and the track was good to soft, good in places. Perfect for Banbury to play their expansive and attaching style of rugby. This has served them well all season and didn’t let them down in a game that will be very decisive to the outcome of the Bulls season.

Banbury usually employ the tactic of playing into the elements in the first half, and when the coin came down in their favour there was no doubt in Captain Ed Phillips’ mind they would do the same again. The Bulls came charging out at the start of each half, scoring all of their points in the first 20 mins of each period to stun Earlsdon and claim a bonus point win.

The game started evenly, with the opening encounters being exchanged in mid field with both sides trying to feel each other out, but it was Banbury who soon took the advantage. The forwards knew they would be facing one of the tougher tests this season, and (maybe through rose tinted glasses) they didn’t just hold their own, but edged the contest for the 80 minutes.

This gave Banbury the platform they look for to launch their dangerous backs. Banbury retained the ball in front of the packed grandstand and looked to spread the ball across the pitch. Earlsdon tried to put the pressure on Banbury’s centres, but fly half Sam Stoop saw this and executed a looping miss pass where Banbury’s outsides backs were waiting, full back Joe Mills maintained his try scoring record to make it 20 try’s in 20 games, and give Banbury a valuable 5-0 lead. Phillips struck the ball down the middle of the posts, but didn’t have the power into the wind and the conversion fell short.

Could the Bulls kick on from here, or would Earlsdon strike back? Banbury answered that question almost straight away. The Bulls had an unplanned attack on the short side, where back rower Simon Brand fed Phillips, who made a break, he elected to chip over the full back, but the covering defence just edged out wing Josh Deegan as the ball trickled over the try line.

Banbury really did have the bit between their teeth now. Soon after they earned a penalty 15 metres from touch in kickable range, but with confidence high Phillips passed the ball to Stoop to kick for the corner. The line out functioned perfectly with lock Matt Brock catching, and as Earlsdon set up to defend the maul, Bulls flanker Sean Banister spun to change the point of attack and to everyone’s surprise and glee found himself crashing over from 5 metres out. Phillips into the wind again, this time the kick had the legs and Banbury’s dream start found them 12-0 up.

Still the Bulls wanted more. This Banbury side has a killer instinct, and not just against the struggling sides in the league. Now they have an appetite for the pressure games, something they maybe lacked in the past. They attacked again with hooker Ian Isham starting the move on the half way, with a 15 metre run where he seemed to carry 4 opposition players before they hauled him to the ground. The rest of the forwards continued the progress deep into the visitors 22, and Banbury had earned themselves an overlap in the corner, Phillips saw the scrambling defence and took advantage with a classic scrum half’s try (he says) where he dummied and darted over from 7 metres out. Adding the extras by converting his own try to make it 19-0.

It was a whirlwind first 20 minutes but now the game settled down for the remained of the half. Earlsdon tried with limited possession to use the elements to gain field position and put Banbury under pressure, but the Bulls exit strategy from each attack was up to the test. The first half ended with Banbury 19-0 up, and now the Bulls would have the wind at their backs.

The game was not won as the second half started; respect where respect is due, Earlsdon’s league position is no fluke and a combination of the state of the game and playing into the wind would see them play with a lot more ball in hand. However, from kick off it was from a Banbury clearance that the Bulls were able to launch their next attack.

The ball was fielded and cleared long by Phillips. The Earlsdon cover underestimated the clearance and as the ball flew over his head dropped the ball into touch. Banbury set up another driving maul, as the Earlsdon players committed men to try and halt momentum, then Phillips and Banister struck. Banister pealed right and put the skipper away down the touch line, Phillips drew the Earlsdon full back and put Banister in for his 5th try in2 weeks and to confirm Banbury’s bonus point. Phillips added the extras to make the score 26-0.

As in the first half, this great start spurred Banbury on. The ball was spread from left to right, and the Banbury backs didn’t fail to disappoint. Great hands and physicality in the contact saw Deegan break the line and find Jimmy Manley (pictured above), who in turn broke a tackle and ran in over the line smiling like the proverbial cat who got the cream. Phillips’ impressive day with the boot continued and again converted to extend the lead to 33-0 and put Banbury out of sight.

Banbury now rang the changes; Joe Castle and James Page came on up front and maintained the front-foot ball, and George Grieve replaced the injured Matt Goode in the centres. Grieve’s impact in defence was both immediate and immense (!), which set the tone for the rest of the side. Earlsdon pressed and pressed for the remainder of the game, and Banbury’s defensive was as impressive as their attack. Even with 14 men for 10 minutes Earlsdon could not muster a single point.

Banbury nearly finished on a high through one more counter attack, winger Adam Walsh broke clear and put Stoop away who then fed Brock who crossed the line, only to be called back for a forward pass. From the next play Banbury won a penalty and Phillips smashed the ball into the stands to finish off a very impressive squad performance. Final score 33 – 0 to the Bulls.

From player number 1 through to 18 Banbury excelled, physio Nik Roddis didn’t put a foot wrong, and even hydration technician and tee-boy ‘Pickle’ was on his game! Banbury have a well-earned week off next Saturday, and resume league duties away to Leamington on the 5th March, not a fixture they have taken in their stride in the past! There is still work to do before Banbury are crowned Champions and coaches James Kerr and Ian Heywood will not want to let this great position slip.