The game kicked off in horrendous conditions with 50mph winds and heavy rain. Banbury were attacking into the storm and up the slope in the first half, so it was more damage limitation for the Bulls in the first half.

Old Patesians got off to a strong start. Banbury penalised for dissent in front of the posts. James Aherne kicking Pats into an early 3-0 lead.

Pats increased their lead when Scott Alldritt peeled off the back of a scrum and barged his way over from 5 metres out. James Aherne added the extras with a brilliant kick in tricky conditions to make it 10-0.

Old Patesians second try was an exact repeat of the first. Scott Alldritt peeling out of the scrum before crashing over from 5 metres out. James Aherne couldn’t convert this time but the lead was increased to 15-0.

The shocking conditions were highlighted when Old Patesians kicked from deep, about 5 metres from their own try line and the ball sailed the length of the pitch to cross the dead ball line. Banbury put in a huge shift in the first half going against the wind. Clearly trying to play to the conditions as kicking into the wind was near impossible.

When the half time whistle was blown and the score at 15-0 Banbury seemed relatively happy to have kept the score down and were confident with the wind on their backs they could make a comeback in the second half.

Old Patesians picked up an early yellow card after persistent offside penalties. Banbury had a couple opportunities to attempt kickable penalties but in the tricky conditions chose to try and get back into the game with tries rather than with the points from the boot.

Despite a lot of territory, Banbury couldn’t find the score to get them back into the game. Old Patesians defended brilliantly and the effort that Banbury put in, in the first half started to show as Banbury tired as the game went on.

The full-time whistle came as a relief to everyone as the conditions worsened.

It was a shame to see a game that had potential to be a great top of the table clash slightly ruined by the conditions. Banbury unable to play their usual expansive running rugby. Pete Boulton (pictured) was awarded Banbury’s Man of the Match. The big Tight Head carried the ball brilliantly all day and made so much ground in tricky conditions.

Speak to Matt Goode after the game: “I think we can take a lot of positives out of today. To come to Old Patesians was always going to be tricky but we played some decent rugby and we’ve done alright. I thought our forwards were exceptional and matched Old Patesians all game. Just a couple of breaks didn’t go our way and that messed us up.”

On the conditions and if it affected the result: “We couldn’t play our running rugby in the way we wanted so we’ve got to go back to the drawing board and see how we play in these conditions. They played really well to the conditions, they’ve got a big back five in the pack and I think they [Old Patesians] used their flankers and number 8 really well. We need to learn and adapt but I think we’ll be fine for the next few games.”

On next week’s clash against Oxford Harlequins: “I think if we play with the grit and determination the way we did today then we can get back to winning ways. Old Patesians are very, very good and I can’t see them losing at home but if we play the way we did today against Oxford Harlequins with heart and determination and tweak a couple things I think we’ll get the win.”

Banbury Lineup:

15. Tommy Gray (Sponsored by: Edd Frost & Daughters)
14. George Grieve
13. Jimmy Manley (Sponsored by: Godiva Insurance)
12. Matt Goode (Sponsored by: Hook Norton Crop Consultancy)
11. Freddie Cracknell (Sponsored by: F M & P Consultancy)
10. Sam Stoop (Sponsored by: H Colegrave & Son)
9. Ed Phillips (Sponsored by: P Montanaro – ITSM Consultancy)

1. Ian Isham (Captain) (Sponsored by: Fieldcraft)
2. Giles Saar (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage)
3. Pete Boulton
4. Nick Pratt
5. Kallum Dixey
6. Jacob Mills
7. Angus Johnson
8. Chris Phillips (Sponsored by: Lorne Alway)

Replacements:

16. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
17. Sam Carr Archer
18. Joe Mills (Sponsored by: DTC International)