It was a perfect day for rugby, the sun was out and only a light breeze blew across Bodicote Park as Banbury and Swindon treated the crowd to an entertaining end-to-end game that wasn’t short of action.

Swindon kicked off with what little wind there was fluttering at their backs. The Bulls had a point to prove after the lackluster performance the previous week, but they picked up where they had left off. They conceded a penalty from the kick off and Swindon were 0-3 up in under a minute.

Swindon started the better side, but Banbury were back in the game as the ball spat out the back of a Swindon ruck and stand-in captain Ed Phillips was the first to react hacking the ball on, Bulls were again the quickest to the Ball, Freddie Cracknell (pictured) collected the ball on Banbury’s 22 and the speedster ran the remaining 78 metres untouched to dot down in the corner. Phillips was off target from the touchline, 5-3.

Banbury were unable to break their habit of conceding penalties, this first gave Swindon field position and then another shot at goal, which was converted into 3 more points, 5-6. Phillips then missed a very kickable penalty to cancel out the Swindon effort and re-take the lead.

As the game established it was clear that Swindon had the stronger set piece, particularly at scrum time, but the Bulls were able to combat this with pace and fluidity in the back line, this was proven when Cracknell went over for his second of the afternoon, again out wide on the left and again Phillips was off target from the tee. 10-6 to the Bulls.

Banbury’s performance wasn’t as solid as the score line suggests, as they displayed in the closing stages of the first half. Banbury made two glaring errors in their own half and Swindon capitalised on both of them adding a converted score each time. Banbury went into half time 10-20 behind and really in need of a performance in the second half.

The Bulls forward pack worked hard all afternoon against bigger, stronger opposition, and when the back line was provided with go forward ball they looked dangerous. Cracknell completed his hat-trick with a fine finish, again on the left touchline and the theme continued as Phillips was off target. 15-20.

Cracknell was soon over again for his 4th of the day, this time coming off his wing running a hard line and bursting through two players and stretching over to score. This time on the right touchline, but the change of angle didn’t help Phillips as he continued to have a poor day with the boot and was off target again, 20-20.

By this stage the game had really opened up and Swindon were able to add an unconverted try themselves, which was enough to disrupt Banbury’s assault and in turn re-established their 5 point lead. But the Bulls continued to push to get back into the game, Banbury were camped on Swindon’s line and Phillips picked out John Fox from the back of a ruck who ignored the support of his brother outside him and crashed over to level the scores again at 25 all.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game, and both will probably feel they could and should have, which may indicate the draw may have been a fair result. The two points should be enough to ensure Swindon’s safety in the league next year. Banbury were able to add a try bonus point giving themselves 3 points, which has kept them in sixth place.

Banbury travel to Windsor on Saturday before the Oxfordshire Cup Final on Thursday 13th at Iffley Road.