Bodicote Park - Saturday 17th September 2016

Match report by Ed Phillips, action photos by Jessica Rogers.

Banbury addressed their failings from previous weeks and turned their early pressure into points. The opening score came from a quick tap by Ed Phillips after a free kick was awarded for an early scrum engagement only 5 metres from the Grove line. Phillips tapped and tried to dart for the line, as he was scragged by an opposition player he fed older brother Chris who muscled his way through two players to dot down just to the left of the uprights. Ed Phillips added the two points. The perfect start they have been so close to in the previous two weeks of the season.

Grove struck back almost straight away with a penalty in front of the post, which Sam Vaughan slotted easily. Banbury continued to press and crossed the white wash again, this time from a line out on the right, and the Bulls with a well worked move scored through Carl Daniels who finished out wide on the left. Ed Phillips converted from the left touchline. Making the score 14-3.

Banbury let Grove impose themselves on the game. The Bulls gave away careless penalties and Grove used these to work their way into the corner to inevitably drive their way over the line, with Steve Dixy dotting down at the back of the maul, and Vaughan on target again. At this stage Banbury felt they were still in control and with their next visit to the Grove 22 were awarded a penalty on the right touchline and such is Phillips’ current form with his boot he and Isham agreed at a shot on goal and the scrum half delivered the 3 points. 17-10.

The Bulls inability to impose themselves in defence will need addressing if they are to take advantage of the good rugby they produce and this was evident on Saturday, in particular with a lack of line speed. Grove took advantage again and Dave Wells crossed for the visitors on the left touch line, Vaughan was off target and Banbury were clinging on to their lead but losing their foothold in the game. If Banbury didn’t realise this, Grove having a try disallowed for a forward pass should have been a further warning signal. The task of turning the tide for Banbury became even bigger when a yellow card for Chilvers reduced Banbury to 14 men. Grove again took advantage with a try from Josh Tyler and Vaughan converting. Grove went into the break 22-17 ahead.

Grove added yet another try, Banbury were soaking up the pressure with 14 men, when the ball dribbled back over the line, Phillips won the foot race but the referee deemed the contact from behind to be a “fair contest” and awarded a try to Grove, they again converted to extend their lead to 29-17. Banbury started to see more of the ball and although weren’t at their fluent best managed to turn possession into points through two Phillips penalties and to close the gap to 23-29.

Just as Banbury started to believe they were back in the game Grove scored the try of the match, with a well worked team try from first phase ball, Banbury arguably could have defended it better but credit must go to the visitors. Vaughan continued the impressive kicking display from both sides by adding the conversion 36-23.

This action packed game wasn’t over yet! Grove this time had a man sin binned with 5 mins to go and Banbury pushed. They made the extra man count and Max Titchener (pictured above) scored his first try for the club. Phillips missed arguably the most important kick of the day, leaving the score at 28-36 and Banbury with two scores needed as well as being outside of losing bonus point range. This is how it finished despite the bulls pushing their hardest in the closing stages.

The best side won on the day and while Banbury don’t look out of place in the higher level, they will feel it would have been within their capabilities to have won all three games this year, but having said that, they have not deserved to. Banbury must play smarter rugby and impose themselves on the opposition more, both with and without the ball, to see out the games at this level. Banbury have been guilty of letting opposition sides play the rugby they want to so far this year.

Banbury travel to Maidenhead next week, where again they will fancy their chances, and if they play to their potential they will have every chance of coming away with the points.