Braywick Park – Saturday 24th September 2016

Match report by Chris Phillips

The afternoon, a warm bright one perfect for quick running rugby on the artificial pitch, started badly for Banbury. The hosts first attack caught the league new-boys napping as Maidenhead’s tight-head prop was able to pick-up from a ruck and dot down between the defences feet before they noticed he’d done so. A successful kick and Banbury were 7-0 down without that many minutes on the clock.

The rest of the half was to go the way of the hosts, as they ran in 3 more tries. Banbury put up some resilient defence throughout the half and made the hosts work for try numbers 2 and 3, but an interception inside their own 22 allowed Maidenhead to run nearly the length of the field to close-out the half at 24-0. A deserved lead, but Banbury would feel that, but for a couple of mistakes, the points difference might have made better reading.

The second half saw Banbury try to establish themselves in the game. The lack of ball retention and phase play that hampered the first half had started to be addressed. Loose passes and unforced errors were reduced, as they had taken on-board the coach’s half time briefing.

Banbury’s defence also improved and it took until well inside the last 20 minutes of the game for the hosts to cross the whitewash again. The game ended with Maidenhead braking away for their 6th try, as the fullback outpaced the Banbury defence and crossed under the sticks to complete the 38-0 victory.

Result-wise it was a disappointing debut for two more Banbury Colt graduates into the first team, Jake Anderson was impressive in the back row for 80 mins and Tom Burman didn’t look out of place at scrum-half.

Maidenhead are a good rugby outfit and their performance did justice to the great set-up they have. Banbury will hope they put up a better showing against them in the reverse fixture. Fingers crossed Maidenhead coach Will Greenwood doesn’t get Eddie Jones and Paul Gustard in to help prepare them for that one too!