The conditions didn’t suit flowing running rugby, rather a more dogged kind of game plan, which in all honesty should have favoured Groves larger pack, used to their heavy home pitch. After several warnings and close calls Banbury were able to adapt to cancel out the home side’s threat and take the spoils in a close Oxfordshire derby.

The game started evenly, with the usual huff and puff of a local derby with both sides trying desperately to get the early score. It was Banbury’s patience and ball retention with saw them awarded 2 early penalties which scrum-half Ed Phillips kicked to give the visitors a 0-6 lead. It was then the Bulls turn to show indiscipline, and this was Grove’s main weapon. Field position was gained via the boot and a strong maul would be set up from the resulting line outs, which made big inroads early on and resulted in a Grove try, but the conversion was missed, giving Banbury the slender lead of 5-6.

More Grove pressure followed from Banbury penalties, and Banbury started to defend the driving maul more effectively, but Grove went close on 2 or 3 more occasions and were held up over the line once and fell just short a few times too. Grove took the lead when they had penalty advantage and they dropped a goal to go 8-6 ahead. Phillips cancelled that out with another penalty for Banbury to go 8-9 ahead.

The last play of the half saw Banbury cross the whitewash. A clearance kick from fly-half Sam Stoop searching for field position lead to a glaring error from the Grove fullback which let replacement winger Tom Burman (pictured) to collect and run in unopposed. Burman is another in a long line of Banbury Colts talent seamlessly stepping up to play senior rugby and this was his debut Bulls try. Phillips failed to add the extras, trying to blame the pitch for giving way under his standing foot. Banbury led 8-14 at the half-time break.

The second half was again a tightly contested affair. Banbury stopped giving away needless penalties, which in turn took away the home sides biggest threat of the driving maul, and combined with the heavy pitch, made playing expansive rugby difficult. This made Banbury favourites to close the game out, but Grove didn’t lie down and made it thrilling derby.

Banbury had a chance to extend their lead but Phillips was off target from another penalty. Then Jacob Mills went over in the corner but the pass from Matt Goode was adjudged forward. This again added to the tension and still left Grove within 7 points of the visitors, but finally Banbury took the game beyond one score when Phillips kicked another penalty to extend their lead to 8-17.

For the closing stages Grove tried to attack from deep and get themselves into a threatening if not winning position, but Banbury’s defence stood strong and frustrated the home side. Banbury were thrilled with the win which stands them in good stead for the tough run of fixtures they have ahead, and takes them to fourth place in the South West 1 (East) table.

Next Saturday Banbury entertain the league leaders Maidenhead at Bodicote Park, kick off 2.15pm.