Bodicote Park – Saturday 18th February 2017

Match report by Ed Phillips.

Banbury started well but Quins desire and will to win shone through as a strong performance from the visitors enabled them to take the bonus point win and keep up their rich vein of form, leaving the hosts with just a losing bonus point and more wounds to lick.

Banbury started with the wind at their backs, and made good use of early territory and possession. They made inroads to the Quins defence and came away with two penalties, the second of which earned the Quins number 8 a yellow card and in turn 10 mins in the sin bin. Phillips kicked both and gave Banbury a 6-0 lead.

Quins hadn’t seen much of the ball in the early exchanges, but when they did they made great use of it, Skipper Allan Purchase continually found holes in the home sides defence and brushed off would-be tacklers. Once the visitors were in behind the Bulls they were clinical and scored two tries back to back. With one converted, the score was 6-12 with Banbury left rattled.

Banbury managed to reply with a try of their own, after finally managing to put some phases together. The ball was recycled and Jed Boyle coming off the bench for Callum O’Shea, stepped in off his wing to score on the left. Phillips was narrowly wide with the extra points. 11-12.This should have kick started Banbury back into the contest, but unfortunately for the home side the lacklustre defending continued.

The return of the Quins number 8 only added to their woes when he off loaded out of the tackle to release the winger to score in the corner, the extras were added with an impressive conversion from out wide. 11-19. Quins added to their lead before the half was out with another converted score, meaning the sides went into half time at 11-26 and giving Banbury a huge task to get back into the game.

Things didn’t change in an instant for Banbury after half time. They tried to keep the ball for longer periods of time, but the Quins defence was well organise and stood up to the test. Banbury were able to cross the line from a set piece which saw Phillips and Josh Deegan (pictured) link up on the petite wingers return to the side after injury.

Phillips added the extras from the touchline, but no sooner had Banbury got their hopes up that they were back in the match, when Quins crossed the line again for their 5th and final score, again converted, this stretched the lead past 3 scores.

Banbury closed the gap with a neat finish from veteran fly half Sam Stoop, Phillips’ conversion made the score 25-33 with 3 minutes to play. All Banbury could muster was a penalty to save a losing bonus point with the last kick of the game.

This finished what was a disappointing game for Banbury who didn’t deserve much more from their afternoons work. Oxford Harlequins deserved the win and their desire to win shone throughout the game. Banbury now have a week off giving them extra time to sort out the frailties in defence and try and get back to winning ways.