The game kicked off in cold rainy conditions, a stark contrast to recent games. RWB got off to a great start when Tom Fieldsend intercepted a Sam Stoop pass and outsprinted the covering defenders to score under the posts. Tom Fieldsend converted his own try to make it 7-0.

RWB’s second try was another error from Banbury. Joe Winpenny failed to deal with a high ball and knocked on. Banbury stopped, RWB played to the whistle and David Martin scooped up the loose ball to score out to the left. Tom Fieldsend converted to increase the lead to 14-0.

Banbury got back into the game with a try of their own. Pete Boulton returned to the team after a month out and showed all his power to burst through RWB line before offloading to Jack Briggs. Jack Briggs juggled the ball before putting boot to ball and kicking the ball down the line. The bounce of the ball was kind and Jack Briggs gathered his kick before touching down in the left corner. Duncan Leese converted from the side-line to make it 14-7.

RWB started the second half with another try. Banbury were camped on their own line and eventually after a number of phases Phil Bardwell found his way through the Banbury line to score out to the right. The conversion came back off the bar to leave it 19-7.

Both Jack Briggs’s combined for Banbury’s second score. Jacko Briggs intercepted a RWB pass but was stopped narrowly short of the line in the right corner. The ball was quickly switched to the other flank and Jack Briggo scored his second try of the afternoon out to the left. Duncan Leese converted to make it 19-14.

Tom Fieldsend kicked a penalty for RWB after Banbury were penalised for offside, 22-14. Duncan Leese kicked a penalty for Banbury after RWB were penalised shortly after for the same offence. 22-17.

Banbury searched for a try that would level the scores and were camped in the RWB 22. Banbury couldn’t find the break through though and eventually RWB won a penalty that allowed them to clear the lines. RWB held on for victory.

A tough loss for the Bulls, Banbury’s scrum was dominant and there were some great line breaks throughout the game. But key errors cost Banbury at key times.

On the way home, the players had been tasked with each bringing a piece of rugby memorabilia to auction off on the bus. Over £500 was raised for the player welfare fund.

Speaking to Head Coach Matt Goode after the game:

22-17, a tough loss and a game of fine margins, were you unlucky to lose? “I think that was one of our poorest performances in years, we were ill disciplined, made too many individual errors, in the end I think we were lucky to get a bonus point.”

You’ve still got a massive list of unavailability’s, is that impossible to deal with? “It’s really tricky, we were still chasing players on Thursday night trying to see if they were able to play. We made a couple changes on Friday morning. It certainly doesn’t help. Looking back at the game, if we’d controlled it a bit more and made less errors we probably would have won. Fair play to RWB they’re a great club, great bunch of lads and we look forward to hosting them at our place. We just weren’t good enough on the day.”

Next week you’re playing Salisbury, the only team to beat us at home last season, any scores to settle? “We want to win every game, we’ll be looking at our own performances, we’ve got a score to settle with ourselves and how we performed today. If we play well and like we can do we can match any side in this division.”

Banbury Scorers:
Tries: Jack Briggs (2)
Conversions: Duncan Leese (2)
Penalties: Duncan Leese (1)