Banbury welcomed Cheltenham North to Bodicote Park in a game that both sides needed to win. Banbury, having lost four games on the trot needed to put in a performance to stop the rot and gain some much needed confidence, whilst Cheltenham are looking to fight their way off the bottom spot. Banbury were able to go into the game with just one change to their pack, with veteran second row Matt Brock returning to the team and the backline had combinations back in place that were starting to gel.

On a perfect autumn day the visitors kicked off with Banbury playing into the sun in the first half and both sides were clearly up for this game from the off. Cheltenham looked to use their powerful centre partnership to break holes in the Banbury defence, however it was up front that the Bulls exerted early dominance. Time and again the scrums in the opening period of play were marched forward, giving the backs some quality front foot ball, which they used to set up field position deep inside the visitors 22. And it was to be the pack's power after just 8 minutes that was to open the scoring for Banbury with a clinical pushover scrum from 5 metres out, Number 8 Simon Brand with the easy finish wide out on the right. Centre Mike Smith was off target with the difficult conversion and Banbury led 5-0.

However, Cheltenham were in no mood to lie down and some strong running, coupled with some poor Bulls tackling saw the visitors break through the Banbury defensive line. However a resolute Carl Daniels was on hand to put in a superb try-saving tackle, bringing his opposite number down two metres short of the try-line before Banbury were able to clear their lines. This was the wake up call that Banbury needed and as the forwards kept up their pressure at both scrum and line out time, disrupting the flow of ball out to the visitors' backs, the Bulls backline stepped up their defensive effort and kept the repulsed each Cheltenham attack.

Banbury were to extend their lead just before the 20 minute mark through a penalty goal from Smith, and from the restart the Bulls struck again. Smart work in the backline, coupled with some good passing saw fly-half Jed Boyle round his man to score in the corner. Smith was again off target with the conversion but Banbury had stretched their lead to 13-0 in a matter of minutes. As Banbury looked to stretch their lead, and Cheltenham fought for a foothold in the game both sides were guilty of spurning scoring opportunities through poor handling or not looking for the scoring pass and it was not until the stroke of half time that the scorers were troubled again.

And again it was Banbury who added to their tally. Continued pressure in the Cheltenham 22 saw the forwards make good ground in the centre of the park. With the visitors' defence dragged in to defend the fringes, it was a simple matter of quick ruck ball, being spun out along the line where Mike Smith slipped a tackle and dived over to score. The effort of scoring again effecting his accuracy but Banbury went in at half time with a healthy 18-0 lead.

The Bulls knew that they had to stand firm, weather any Cheltenham storm and strike back quickly and take the game beyond the visitors' reach. The plan worked from a defensive perspective as the Bulls 22 was rarely troubled, but it took until 25 minutes of the second haf had gone before Banbury secured the bonus point, again through fly-half Jed Boyle who had an outstanding game. Smith's radar was still off but Banbury looked comfortable at 23-0. Things continued to improve for the Bulls as Simon Castle-Green was on hand to finish off a fine move and score his maiden first team try. Backs and forwards combined well to create space outwide, where quick crisp passing put the replacement winger through to score untouched. Smith slotted the extras and Banbury were 30-0 up with ten minutes to play.

But Cheltenham North were not to be outdone and after Banbury infringed twice in quick succession, the Bulls found themselves defending their own line. Cheltenham clearly refused to leave empty-handed and a close in drive saw them drive over for a score. The conversion was missed and the score moved onto to 30-5 with just 5 minutes remaining. As the match was coming to its conclusion some ill-discipline at a breakdown saw Banbury concede another penalty in midfield, but the visitors openside decided to take matters into his own hands. After the ensuing scuffle had calmed down, the Cheltenham number 7 was yellow-carded. Before he had even left the pitch, some unwise words to the referee about his decision from the Cheltenham Number 8 also saw him yellow-carded!

Facing 13 men for the final 4 minutes, Banbury went all out for the final score, which went to Carl Daniels. A strong running break into the opponents 22 by skipper Eddie Phillips was well-supported and the ball quickly shipped along the line to the winger who went over to score in the corner. Smith was successful with the conversion which was the last act of the game and Banbury had run out deserved winners by 37-5.

Man of the Match could have gone to any of the front 5 forwards, but an excellent shift by Rory Dymond saw him awarded the honour of holding 'Bambers' the Bull for the week.