On a glorious day more reminiscent of August than October Banbury welcomed Pershore to Bodicote Park in their latest Midlands 2 West (South) league fixture. Keen to put their loss to Barker’s Butts behind them and maintain their winning home record, Banbury made a number of changes to their starting line-up. Jed Boyle stepped across from his usual wing position to take the fly-half role, Sam Harper returned to the second-row and Lewis Jones made his debut at tight-head prop.

Pershore were coming into the match having lost heavily in the first round of the Intermediate Cup the previous week and looking to add to their one league win. It was to be a game of contrasting styles with the visitors looking to use their powerful runners to bludgeon their way past the fringe defence whilst the home side looked to cut through the defence wider out with their strong running backline.

It was Banbury who started more brightly and they should have been two tries ahead in the first five minutes, but some poor decision-making and lack of composure in the scoring zone saw chances go begging. Firstly Number 8 Simon Brand kick the ball away in the Pershore 22 when a simple pass would have probably have put skipper Eddie Phillips in. Then a few minutes later flanker Seamus O’Dwyer seemed odds on to score, but was hauled down just inches short of the Pershore line.

After weathering this initial storm, Pershore started to work their way back into the game and Banbury indiscipline allowed the visitors to get into the Bulls half. But the home-side defence held firm and with Boyle looking comfortable running the show at 10, Banbury made repeated breaks into the Pershore half. The opening score came as the Pershore 10 kicked to clear his lines. Centre Carl Daniels gathered the loose ball and good passing released young winger George Williamson who showed a clean pair of heels to round the covering full-back and score under the posts. Eddie Phillips was on hand to add the extras and Banbury led 7-0.

It was Phillips double-act that was then to double the Bulls scoreline five minutes later. A strong run into the fringe defenders around a ruck on the Pershore 22, saw prop Chris Phillips break the initial tackle before offloading to his brother. Scrum-half Eddie then neatly stepped the covering full-back to score close to the posts before successfully converting his own try and giving Banbury a 14-0 lead.

However Pershore responded to this double-blow with some strong running which the Bulls defence struggled at times to contain and they soon found themselves defending in their own 22. Using their strong scrum as a base from which to attack, Pershore looked certain to score an answering try and get back in the game, but a strong covering tackle from two Bulls players saw the ball knocked on over the line. But Pershore were not to be denied points on the board and a penalty at the breakdown gave the visitor’s fly-half an easily kickable penalty which he smartly slotted to take the score to 14-3.

The half progressed in much the same vein with Pershore battering the fringes and Banbury looking to play the ball wide. And it was the Banbury backs who were to prise open the visitors defence with a simple yet exquisite piece of play. Boyle took the ball from a ruck on half way and attacked the defensive line. His pace and quick feet drew two defenders to him before he gave a beautifully weighted pass to inside centre James Heywood who broke the line at pace. Heywood then fixed the full-back and gave a simple pass to his supporting centre partner, Daniels who had a simple run in to score under the posts. The conversion was again simple for Phillips and Banbury went in at half time with a 21-3 lead.

The Bulls came out in the second half aware that they had left several potential scores out on the field in the previous 40 minutes and were determined to secure the bonus point. The try was to come from the Banbury backs once again as some neat interplay in midfield saw winger Andrew Mawle released into space 30 yards from the Pershore line. With the full-back coming across, Mawle backed his pace and power and broke the cover tackle to dive over the line and score wide out on the left. Phillips was off target this time and the lead was now 26-3.

Pershore were however not about to give up and responded with a try of their own. After working their way into the Banbury 22, a neat move from a scrum saw the back row and scrum half attack the short side. The ball ended up in the hands of the Pershore blindside flanker who broke through some weak tackles to run in for the try. With the conversion missed the scoreline read 26-8

The next score fell to Man-of-the-Match Jed Boyle who had been running the Pershore defence ragged for most of the game. This time some powerful running from forwards and backs took the ball deep into the Pershore 22. Phillips was on hand to whip the ball out of the ensuing ruck and Boyle was able to step two defenders and sprint under the posts to score. The easy conversion for Phillips gave Banbury an unassailable 33-8 lead.

This score lead Banbury to switch off and Pershore struck back immediately. As no-one claimed the kick restart, Banbury found themselves under pressure close to their own line and the ball was turned over. Pershore once again turned to their big forwards and one was able to drive over from close in to score. A successful (drop kicked!) conversion put the scoreline to 33-15 with 10 minutes to play.

But Banbury were to have the last word as once again the backs made good yardage into the Pershore half. Quick recycled ball saw Boyle spin the ball wide to the unlikely attacking line of Chris Phillips and Brand. As the Pershore defence scrambled across, the prop forward fixed his defender and put Brand in space with 20 yards to go. The big number 8 had just enough gas to beat the covering full back to the line and scored wide out on the right. With the conversion missed the scorers were not to be troubled again and the match finished 38-15.

New coach James Kerr was happy with the result of his first match in charge but was keen to point out the areas that needed to be worked on by the squad to enable them to challenge for the league title. He made it clear that is was up to the players now to put this hard work in and reap the rewards at season’s end.

Banbury’s next league fixture is another home game as they welcome Berkswell & Balsall to Bodicote Park on Saturday 8th October, kick-off 3pm.