Banbury suffered a heavy defeat away to Barkers Butts in their most recent Midlands 2 West (South) league match by 43 points to 7.

Banbury were forced into a number of last minute changes to their starting line up and travelled with a relatively young team that would need to step up to the mark to challenge the home side. Playing down the slight slope and with the wind at their backs in the first half, the match soon settled into a rhythm that was to repeat itself for much of the rest of the half. Barkers impressive scrummaging and strong running centres made repeated ground into the Banbury half, ably supported by their experienced backrow. Banbury’s defence would then force the error from the home side which would allow them to clear into the Barkers half. However too often the Bulls contact skills and decision making was lacking and Banbury were unable to keep the pressure on the home side.

It was however Banbury who opened the scoring through full-back Peter Flemming. A rare stable scrum for Banbury on their 10 metre line allowed them to attack the large blind side. Some good pace and strong running from the Banbury backs saw them break through into the Barkers’ 22 and Flemming was released for an easy run in to score. Captain Eddie Phillips was on hand to slot the conversion.But this was as good as it was to get for the visitors. The rest of the half continued in the same vein but the Banbury backs started falling off tackles allowing Barkers to score two tries and a penalty for a 17-7 half time lead.

As the second half kicked off Banbury were still in the game on the scoreboard, but Barkers dominance at scrum time which saw the Bulls pack repeatedly shoved off their own ball saw them struggle to gain any sort of possession. The home side drove this home with two forward-oriented tries midway through the second half, one from a catch-and-drive at the lineout and another from a 5 metre scrum.

Banbury now had their backs to the wall and needed to step up their performance if they were to salvage anything from the game. What followed in the final ten minutes was most disappointing for the Bulls coaching staff and supporters as Banbury capitulated, conceding two further tries, the final one to the last play of the game.

In the end it was a crushing defeat and the players themselves were aware of their shortcomings in a game that saw them outmuscled and outplayed. The Banbury players have called upon themselves for an honesty session to ensure that this game acts as a kick-start to the rest of the season.