Banbury travelled to Droitwich Spa in their latest Midlands 2 West (South) league fixture eager to build on the previous week’s away cup win. Banbury had a settled backline but number of injuries led to a reshuffle in the pack, with Richard Jeyes starting at Number 8 and Matt Brock starting at flanker rather than his usual second row slot.

A sunny but windy afternoon saw Banbury kick-off, but from the very start of the game Banbury indiscipline was to hand possession and field position to Droitwich. Indeed it was the home side that were to open the scoring after 5 minutes when Banbury’s tackling technique let them down. Two missed tackles around half way allowed Droitwich to work a mismatch in the defensive line where they were able to round the last man and score. The conversion was successful and the home side were 7-0 up.

Banbury however were quick to respond and soon found themselves attacking the Droitwich 22 metre line. The home side were penalised and skipper Eddie Phillips was on hand to take the quick tap penalty. With the defense at sixes and sevens Phillips was able to cross the line and put Banbury on the scoreboard. Full-back Andrew Joubert was on target and Banbury were level at 7-7 after 10 minutes.

But Droitwich were to immediately regain the lead with a successful penalty goal a minute later, but Banbury were able to draw level when Joubert pushed a penalty attempt of his own wide of the posts after 15 minutes. It was during this period that the Droitwich scrum began to make their experience pay, winning three against the head and setting up dominance in this phase that was to last much of the game.

The end-to-end play continued after centre Mike Smith intercepted a pass and came within a metre of the Droitwich try-line before being hauled down. Droitwich were quick to the breakdown, turned the ball over and set off on their own foray from deep. It was only a last-ditch tackle from winger George Williamson that was to prevent Droitwich scoring.

Banbury were next on the score sheet after 30 minutes as they drew level at 10-10 through the boot of Joubert, who converted a penalty from the Droitwich 10 metre line following a high tackle. But with just 5 minutes of the half remaining the Bulls again came under pressure. Desperate defending on their own line was relieved when Banbury turned the ball over and kicked to touch, but the danger had not passed. Droitwich were able to set up a maul from the resulting lineout which they then drove over the line to score. With the conversion missed the read 15-10 to the home side with half-time approaching.

Banbury were then hit with a sucker punch just before half-time when a quick tap penalty in the Banbury 22 saw the home side run in another try on 37 minutes. With the conversion successful, the Bulls found themselves 22-10 down at half-time.

Banbury needed to respond quickly to stay in the game and duly did so. Matt Brock fielded the kick-off and made ground to the halfway line. Here he fed the ball to second-row Max de Meis, who showed his powerful running to good effect as he ran in from halfway to score. Joubert was on target with the conversion and Banbury were back in the running at 22-17. But after getting a foothold in the game, the Bulls committed the cardinal sin and conceded straight from the restart. The Brock-de Meis combo was tried again after its previous success, but this time the second-row was brought down and his attempted off-load went to the home side. With good field position, Droitwich were quick to capitalise and scored wide out on the right. A successful conversion put the Bulls back to being 12 points behind at 29-17.

And things were to get worse 5 minutes later when Droitwich were able to take another scrum against the head on their own 10-metre line and run in for their fifth try and a 34-17 lead. A penalty, after Banbury committed a scrum offence on 52 minutes, and another try on 70 minutes after poor Banbury tackling, saw Droitwich stretch their lead to 44-17.

With the game seemingly now out of reach, Banbury looked to get some respectability in the scoreline and fly-half Jed Boyle was on hand to provide some consolation. After a lineout in the Droitwich 22, Boyle received quick ball and was able to force his way through to score under the posts. Joubert’s conversion was the final score as Banbury were well beaten 44-24.

Banbury return to Bodicote Park on Saturday when they take on Leamington, kick off 3pm.