Bodicote Park - Saturday 10th December 2016

Match report by Chris Phillips, photo below by Jim Field

Conditions weren’t suited to running rugby, but the visitors seems to ‘want it’ more than the hosts, a cliché that was as troubling as the performance, as Windsor equaled the Bulls two first half tries in the second half.

Banbury had wanted to use their momentum from the last five matches to carry them through until the Christmas break, by clocking up two more wins. The first half looked like that might be the case. Early pressure saw Banbury awarded a kickable penalty, which uncharacteristically, was missed by Ed Phillips. The Bulls kept the pressure on and a kick from fly half Sam Stoop into the 22 was hacked away by the fullback. Fortunately for Banbury this was straight into the bread basket of Jack Briggs, who ran in untouched to score. The conversion was successful for a 7-0 Bulls lead.

For Banbury’s second try the ever-evasive Jimmy Manley (pictured) managed to shrug off his opposite number to score as the Bulls backs had moved the ball out wide. His ability to create the chance when it seemed it had gone allowed Ed Phillips another easy conversion kick to make it 14-0 to the Bulls at half time.

Banbury’s second half lacked many positives, and left the faithful supporters disappointed. Windsor were awarded a line out on Banbury’s 10 metre line, although the line-out was scruffy they looked to move the ball. Initial yards were made crashing the ball up the centre, and then the ball was spun wide on the second phase allowing them to score a try. A good conversion from out wide and the score was 14-7.

The game stayed finely balanced for a large part of the second half. Both teams were trying to gain a tactical advantage and to grind out a result. With only a few minutes left on the clock Windsor, who had probably been the gutsier side, were able to create the break that they had been seeking. A charged down kick in midfield created a foot race that Banbury didn’t win. The try was scored under the posts for 14-14.

The last couple of minutes saw some frantic rugby as both teams looked for anything to seal the win. The ball ended up being bundled into touch after some sloppy play which seemed an appropriate end to a match that probably neither side deserved to win. The Bulls will need to put this behind them quickly in order to make amends next week when they are at home again against Chippenham.