Bodicote Park - Saturday 11th March 2017

Match report by Ed Phillips.

Despite a tough first half, where Banbury stuttered through, they just managed to keep themselves in the game rather than dominating it. The Bulls came into their own in the final 20 minutes and in the end secured the win over Reading Abbey with a 4 four try bonus point to boot.

Banbury conceded first with an error riddled 5 minutes. Ed Phillips missed a very kickable penalty, he then missed touch with a poor clearance kick returning the 22 drop out. From this, Matt Goode failed to field the ball kicked deep from the Abbey full-back and in a matter of seconds Banbury were defending deep in their 22 and failed to keep the visitors out. The conversion was missed, 0-5.

Both teams looked dangerous with the ball in each other’s half. Banbury built pressure but were still lacking consistency. Abbey were penalised for early engagement at the scrum 5 metres out. Ed Phillips took a quick tap and stopped just short, Chris Phillips nudged even closer before Cash Chilvers (pictured) finished the job powering through and over the line. Phillips added the conversion to make the score 7-5. Moments later, with the last play of the half, Abbey cancelled out Banbury’s converted score from more Bulls errors. Abbey capitalised and went into the half deserved leaders at 7-12.

The teams turned around giving the home side the wind at their backs. Although Banbury didn’t start well they were able to level the scores with Chilvers’ second of the day, who again showed great strength from close range to score on the left touchline, Phillips drifted just wide with the conversion. 12-12.

Abbey, as they did at the end of the first half, responded straight away. Banbury had switched off and proved most vulnerable just after they had scored. Again a spirited Abbey side scored with a conversion missed, and again Abbey led by 5 points at 12-17.

Banbury now needed a response, and more than just a score followed by a lapse in concentration. In the final 20 minute Banbury showed more continuity than they had done in weeks. They moved the ball wide across the pitch with forwards and backs all working together.

It was from their first period of fluid play that Banbury scored their 3rd try. Banbury went from touch line to touch line stretching the tiring pack of the visitors. Banbury’s outside backs were queuing up and Stoop saw space in behind, an inch perfect kick saw youngster Dan Brandy collect and run in untouched to score his first of the game. Phillips converted to give the Bulls a narrow lead at 19-17.

Banbury began to look more threatening on a consistent basis, Abbey’s big strong runners were becoming weary despite clever use of substitutions and Banbury found space on the left, Goode took a half gap and off loaded out of the tackle impressively to Brady who again showed his pace to finish his second try. Phillips increased the lead with the conversion to 26-17.

Abbey gave the home side one last push, but Banbury were able to close the game out by holding on to the ball well in the closing minutes. Banbury have a week off before traveling to Royal Wotton Bassett on Saturday 25th March continuing their preparation for the Oxfordshire Cup Final.