Holme Park, Sonning Lane - Saturday 4th March 2017

Match report by Ed Phillips

Banbury's desperation may have led to the stuttering performance on a bright but windy day at Sonning Lane, but there was no lack on passion or desire as they crept over the line to seal the 4 points.

Banbury started with a strong breeze at their backs and in the opening exchanges played some good rugby, and pressed Reading. Despite their lowly league position are Reading no mugs and frustrated Banbury at the break downs, a theme that lasted most of the match. Between the long periods of Banbury pressure the Bulls let Reading gain field position too easily with a mixture of poor decisions while in position and ill-discipline.

Banbury did eventually cross the line. The Bulls pack again kept the ball for multiple phases and made ground, the ball was then spread wide to Sam Stoop (pictured) who started the game at full back. He stepped one player and shrugged off another to finish well in the left corner. Ed Phillips was just wide with the conversion with the wind at his back, 0-5.

Banbury players, coaches and supporters would have been hopeful that this was going to spark Banbury into life and see a resurgence back to their fluid style that had seen them go 8 games unbeaten earlier in the year. Unfortunately it was not to be. Banbury continued to let Reading out of pressure situations, which they did well, marching up the pitch into the wind. It was the Berkshire outfit who scored next, leveling the scores at 5-5, with a conversion off target into the stiff breeze.

The half ended with another unsuccessful period of Banbury pressure and the scores level at 5-5, even the most optimistic Banbury supporter would have admitted that the Bulls had it all to do turning around into the conditions, and they would need to find a performance from somewhere.

The second half was much like the first. Banbury would have long periods of pressure, but were unable to convert them into points. Luckily for Banbury Reading lacked any real creative spark, and kicked poorly with the wind. This let Banbury knock at the door time and time again.

Matt Goode had a try claim disallowed due to the referee accidentally obstructing a Reading defender, which would have seen Banbury almost out of sight with 10 mins to go. From the resulting scrum Banbury won a penalty and Ed Phillips added 3 points. On their next attack Banbury added a further 3 points from Phillips’ boot to take them 6 points clear. But with under 5 mins left a spirited Reading team pushed the Bulls all the way. They attacked until the final whistle where Banbury turned the ball over deep in their own 22.

It wasn’t the fluid stylish Bulls we know, but it was the result that was needed, which has taken them back up to 6th in the table. Banbury take on Reading Abbey next week at home where they will look to continue their winning ways and complete their second double over the Reading sides in the league.