After last week's "wrestling" match, (sorry, rugby match!) Banbury’s injury list was through the roof. Pete Boulton, Dan Brady, Jimmy Manley, Matthew Powell, Kallum Dixey, Matt Goode and Tommy Gray all unavailable for the Bulls to take on the league favourites was always going to complicate things.

Still the Bulls came out the blocks flying in front on a bumper home crowd. Ed Phillips won a penalty for the Bulls after Newbury were penalised for holding on and the scrum half kicked the resulting penalty to make it 3-0.

It got even better for Banbury when Jacob Mills went over. Ken Key was stopped half a yard short, but the ball was recycled quickly, and Ed Phillips bullet pass split the Newbury defenders and Jacob Mills went over under the posts. Ed Phillips converted to make it 10-0.

Newbury responded well. A good break from Toby Pearce was stopped short of the line but Kris Ford crashed his way over shortly after. Rory Jones converted, 10-7.

Newbury kept the pressure on and they took the lead when Banbury conceded a penalty try. The Newbury scrum was solid all game and was heading over the try line before being collapsed short of the line. 10-14.

Josh Windfield went over in the corner for Newbury and Rory Jones kicked an excellent conversion to make it 10-21 at half time.

Banbury started the second half how they started the first. Chris Phillips finished off a nice Banbury move. A couple mini breaks got Banbury close, but Chris Phillips still had plenty to do before going over out to the right. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury scoring his try and an already injured plagued squad got smaller. Ed Phillips converted to bring it back to 17-21.

Newbury got back in the lead after some slick hands left the Blues with a 2 on 1. Josh Windfield finished off the move under the posts. There was a big shout for a forward pass in the build up but Newbury played on and took full advantage. Rory Jones converted to make it 17-28.

Newbury were on top at this point and they kept up the momentum with a try from deep. Harvey North finished off the move and Rory Jones added the extras, 17-35. Unfortunately for the Bulls they lost Duncan Leese to injury in the build up on his starting debut for Banbury.

As the Bulls tired Newbury pushed on. Rob Drysdale made a nice break but was stopped narrowly short, but he offloaded to Rory Jones to score another try for Newbury. He couldn’t add the extras though, but Newbury were firmly in control, 17-40.

The game ended on a rather sour note. Dan Kirwin scooped up a lose ball and was sprinting his way into the corner for a Banbury score. He was pulled back cynically by his collar though, preventing the try. Harvey North saw yellow and unfortunately Dan Kirwin suffered a serious injury, breaking and dislocating his wrist as his body landed on top of his arm. The referee ended the game 10 minutes early to allow an ambulance on to the field to provide assistance to Dan Kirwin.

Not the way anyone wants a match to finish. We all wish Dan Kirwin a speedy recovery. He had surgery this morning and despite early fears he could be back after the Christmas break.

Newbury showed why they are league favourites. Controlling possession for long periods of the match which was extremely draining on the Bulls. With a healthy squad who knows what might have been, but Newbury deservedly prevailed on the day. Giles Saar was Banbury’s man of the match, he defended and carried brilliantly all day.

Speaking to Head Coach Matt Goode:

17-40, not a great result but a horrible way to end the game with the injury to Dan Kirwin: “Yeah, we all send our best wishes to Dan and wish him a speedy recovery, we’ll find out the full extent in the next few days, but we wish him well. 17-40 was probably a fair result. They played with intensity, they were very good. We did well for 40 minutes but it shows the calibre of this league this year. It’s definitely stronger than last year. We need to step up and stop the rot next week against Old Centralians next week.”

A lot of injuries this week in training and last week at Marlborough, do you think that was a factor? “It could have been different, I think they were missing a couple as well. I’m not sure if the result would have changed but losing lots of influential players, seven forced changes is huge. Shows the strength in depth that we still competed.”

After winning 21 in a row, 2 losses back to back must be an unusual feeling, how are you going to pick the boys up this week? “It’s definitely unusual and something we’re not used too. We need to sit down and gather as a group. We’ve got a great team bond and togetherness. When we go to Old Centralians we’ll be firing and we’re going for that W. We don’t like losing, fair play to Newbury they were a good side, but we need to get back to winning ways.”

Banbury Try scorers: Jacob Mills, Chris Phillips
Conversions: Ed Phillips (2)
Penalties: Ed Phillips (1)