Banbury started the game brightly, for the first 10-15 minutes Banbury found themselves deep in the RWB 22. Banbury looked like they were going to open the scoring when a 5-metre scrum was rumbling its way towards the try line before cynically being pulled down. The penalty count in the red zone was building and eventually Sam Robinson was shown a yellow for RWB. The hosts were probably one penalty away from a penalty try but strong defending eventually paid off with a turn over allowing RWB to clear their lines.

Banbury took the lead with arguably the best try of the match. A lovely move from the backs, right off the training ground. George Grieve drew 2 defenders before slipping the ball on to Tommy Gray who then drew the last man before releasing Joe Mills who touched down in the left corner. Ed Phillips couldn’t convert from the side-line, but Banbury had an early 0-5 lead.

RWB were in front shortly after though, a cross field kick narrowly missed an injured Bull and Physio and Sam Nawari gathered the ball in the confusion. Some brilliant defending kept him out, but the ball was recycled and Sam Robinson (now back on after his yellow) touched the ball down to the right of the posts. Ieuan Clements converted to give RWB the lead. 7-5.

RWB increased their lead with some nice work from the forwards. Chris Rowland gathered a loose pass and with help from some of the forwards drove his way over from short range. Ieuan Clements couldn’t add the extras this time though, but the lead was now 12-5.

Banbury narrowed the gap shortly before half time. Angus Johnson did a brilliant job to turnover a RWB lineout 5 metres from their own line. Despite some strong defence eventually the pressure paid off and Pete Boulton bundled his way over in the corner. Ed Phillips couldn’t convert from the side-line to leave the score 12-10 at half time.

RWB kicked off the second half looking pumped up and the scoreboard soon reflected that. Banbury conceded several penalties and eventually RWB were 5 metres out from the Bulls try line. Eventually the Banbury defence gave way, Chris Rowland crossing for his second try of the game from close range. Ieuan Clements couldn’t convert to leave the scores 17-10.

RWB increased their lead in slightly confusing circumstances. The ball was kicked through and Joe Mills appeared to touch the ball down for a drop out, but the referee indicated he’d carried the ball in to the in-goal area before touching the ball down. Instead of a drop out to Banbury it was a 5-metre scrum to RWB. From the resulting scrum RWB bundled their way over and then Ieaun Clements converted to make it 24-10.

Banbury scored a late try to narrow the lead. George Grieve broke down the left wing before drawing the last man and playing in Jimmy Manley who out-sprinted the covering defence to touchdown wide to the left. Joe Mills frantically converted but it proved to be the final action of the game, 24-17. A disappointing loss where Banbury never kept their early promise going going.

Banbury Try Scorers: Joe Mills, Pete Boulton and Jimmy Manley

Speaking to Matt Goode after the game: “I thought the first 15 minutes we did well, but then I think we just dropped off. There were too many changes in the squad. Too many injuries and non-availabilities. We were really disjointed and too many individual errors and we just seemed flat.”

On any solace in the losing bonus point: “Nope not at all, I’m gutted about the performance, we didn’t perform, we didn’t turn up. I think we lost us the game, they didn’t go out and win it.”

On next week’s clash with Salisbury: “I’m looking for an improved performance, we need to stop our individual errors. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see where we’re going wrong but if we play like that next week it’s going to be a tough day at the office. If we play like we do and how we know we can then we’ll come away winners but today we’ve had a bad day. We’ve got to draw a line under it and focus on next weekend.”

Banbury Line-up:

15. Joe Mills (Sponsored by: DTC International)
14. Tommy Gray (Sponsored by: Edd Frost & Daughters)
13. George Grieve
12. Jimmy Manley (Sponsored by: Godiva Insurance)
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. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
2. Joe Winpenny
3. Pete Boulton
4. Ed Harden
5. Harry Isles
6. Giles Saar (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage)
7. Kallum Dixey
8. Angus Johnson

Replacements:

16. Steve Potter
17. Matt Goode (Sponsored by: Hook Norton Crop Consultancy)
18. Dan Brady