The game started in un-seasonal weather, a strong-ish breeze blew directly down the pitch and into the Banbury player’s faces in the first half. This allowed Witney to relieve Banbury’s early pressure via Henry Lamb’s boot after Matt Goode had been held up over the line, unable to wriggle underneath Witney’s cover defence.

Banbury’s enthusiasm at being back at level 6 was evident for all to see at the West Oxfordshire ground, and they continued to push forward, with slower ball from the break down then they would have liked, but not turning this early pressure into points.

A moment of madness from scrum half Ed Phillips, saw him kick the ball away in the Witney 22 and the home side pounced, easing up the field, Banbury failed to clear when they had the chance and Witney capitalised on the two mistakes in quick succession like the experienced side they are and were 7-0 up in the blink of an eye.

Lamb kicked well from the tee with the wind in his favour adding two penalties, the first being cancelled out by Alex Stevenson for Banbury leaving the score at 13-3. Lamb’s boot was the home sides main weapon in the first half, combined with the wind they took advantage of this well, giving them decent field position.

Witney again took advantage of a Banbury error as the visitors watched a 22 drop out sail over their heads and run into touch on their own 22 metre line. The home side added another score from this mistake and increased their lead by 5 points, with Lamb off target with the conversion. The sides went into the break with the scores at 18-3 to Witney.

Banbury turned around with the wind now behind them and need to box smarter, they couldn’t afford to gift any more opportunities to Witney as it was clear they would take advantage. At the same time they needed to take every opportunity that came their way.

The Bulls did indeed keep Witney at bay for the entire second period. As the home side looked to build phases and increasingly played with ball in hand into the elements Banbury looked stretched, however it was from this situation that the visitors took advantage as Josh Deegan (pictured) opened his new season account with a perfectly timed interception, running in from 40 metres and turning what could have been a try scoring opportunity for Witney into Banbury’s first score of the season. Stevenson added the extras and it was game on.

Both teams mood had now changed, Banbury were kicking to the corners and Witney had to work their way out, Banbury had their tails up, the Bulls pushed for the remainder of the game, setting up camp in the Witney 22. Goode crossed sides and picked and went on the blind side catching everyone by surprise and strolled over from 10 metres out untouched. Phillips had taken over the kicking duties and slid the conversion just to the right of the posts. 18-15 with 10 mins to play.

Sam Stoop pinned Witney back twice with two brilliant kicks, but The Bulls just couldn’t take advantage of their field position. Phillips was held up over the line twice in the dying minutes and the Banbury forwards continuously hammered at the Witney defence but they showed their class and didn’t look like making a mistake. Banbury will feel as if they could have won the game, but credit needs to go to Witney who on the whole looked an experienced and a very well drilled outfit and probably just deserved the spoils.

Banbury will take lots of positives away with them and will look to build on the performance next Saturday away at Chippenham.