.....however, for the third week running the game ended in nervous fashion for the League Champions!

Coppice Lane, Sutton Coldfield – Saturday 16th April 2016

Match report by Chris ‘Cakes’ Phillips, video highlights by Simon Grieve

The home side struck first, as they made ground up the middle of the pitch. The ground made was a bit too easy for Banbury’s liking but Spartans (Midlands) made the most of some average tackling to gain good field position. They worked the ball wide and went over in the corner for an unconverted try, 5-0.

Banbury then put some play together, although very fragmented, and worked their way into the hosts 22. Spartans conceded a very kickable penalty, but a quick tap from veteran lock Brock caught them on their heels. A well timed offload to the supporting Ian Isham was gratefully received as the latter crashed over to open the scoring for the visitors. Joe Mills, who had taken over the kicking duties from Josh Deegan, converted, 5-7.

Banbury scored again shortly after as George Grieve read the defence and intercepted around half way. With no one in front of him he romped in to make it 5-14, with Mills conversion good.

Spartans again looked to crash the ball up the midfield and were rewarded when they broke the line. This left them a 2 on 1 which was executed perfectly and an easy try took the score to 12-14.

The rest of the first half went very much Banbury’s way, on the score board at least. Some broken play on the Spartans 22 saw Jacob Mills, scoop up a loose ball and find Isham. He in turn found veteran Simon Brand (pictured) in space. Simon will argue it was a side step and a change of pace, but a slight straightening of his line saw him easily past the last man to score, 12-19.

Banbury, again, took advantage of some fragmented play. This time Jed Boyle picked up a loose ball and out paced one defender and side stepped his way past the full back to go under the posts for 12-26.

Continuing their spell of dominance Banbury’s forwards worked the fringes well inside the 22, this gave an opportunity for the backs to use and exploit the space out wide. This they did well as Joe Mills went over in the left corner and converted his own try (thanks to kicking caddy and water-boy Pickle, who enjoyed it more than Mills), 12-33.

Banbury ended the half with another score, this time from close range. Working the ball inside the 22 and getting closer to the line, they were able to engineer a close range effort for Isham. He crashed over for his second and Banbury’s last score of the game, 12-40 and the half.

Spartans didn’t take long to get on the score board again. A good restart saw them get good field position and an opportunity down the left flank. The cover defence couldn’t get there as the overlap was put to good use and the score taken to 17-40.

There was an exchange of yellow cards, each team’s fly half having a ten minute rest for knock-ons that were deemed deliberate.
Spartans got another opportunity inside Banbury’s 22. They took the chance well as they slickly executed a training ground move with a deft inside pass creating a 2 on 1. Again put to good use by the home side, they went in under the posts, 24-40.

Taking a quick tap on half way Spartans were able to catch Banbury on their heels and work the ball and men into space down the right. It turned out to be an easy score with the 4 man overlap not needed as the home flanker out-paced the Bulls defence to score. 31-40.

The Banbury supporters must have been getting a little nervous as Spartans continued to put pressure on the visitors. However they must also be used to it as it was the third week running that the opposition have been let back into a game that should have been put to bed much earlier.

Spartans went over again. This time the winger came on a short line around the ruck. What seemed like an easily defendable situation was upturned as Sir accidentally blocked Banbury’s would-be tackler but the play continued. Unfazed, the Spartans winger went into score.

Fortunately the clock went into the red with Spartans in possession on the last play. Banbury battled to keep them at bay, eventually managing to get them into touch and clinch a nervous 38-40 victory to round off an exceptional season.