Both teams had won their last 5 games, so Banbury were prepared for a tough fixture. Wimborne kicked off with a strong wind behind them making kicking almost impossible for Banbury in the first half.

Still despite the conditions it was Banbury who took the lead. Sam Mills was stopped narrowly short of the line after a good break and offload from Jack Briggs. Still one phase later Ed Phillips found Ian Isham who spun out a tackle to score under the posts. Ed Phillips converted. Banbury 7 Wimborne 0.

Tom Burman was stopped from scoring in the clubhouse corner, but the Bulls regathered quickly. Ed Phillips found Sam Stoop who was running a lovely charging line and he smashed his way through the Wimborne defenders to score from 5 metres out. The conversion attempt went wide. Banbury 12 Wimborne 0.

Banbury scored almost immediately from the restart. The backs countered brilliantly, Duncan Leese played in Joe Mills down the side-line who then chipped through twice before Tommy Gray dived on the ball for Banbury’s third score of the afternoon. A lovely, clinical break from the backs. Ed Phillips’ conversion attempt was on target but held up in the wind. Banbury 17 Wimborne 0.

The Bulls were back at it from the restart. Tom Burman and Ed Berridge combined for the try of the game. Ed Berridge produced one of his trademark offloads after sucking in two defenders. Tom Burman broke down the side-line, showing great skill to get past a couple more Wimborne defenders. He offloaded back to Ed Berridge who broke a tackle and then outsprinted two more defenders to score under the posts. A brilliant try from the pair. Ed Phillips converted. Banbury 24 Wimborne 0.

Wimborne got on the scoreboard with their first try of the afternoon. Banbury full of confidence tried one offload too many as the ball fell to the ground. Josh Booth scooped the ball up and outsprinted the cover defence to score close to the posts. Jack Young converted. Banbury 24 Wimborne 7.

Banbury started the second half with the wind behind them and they got off to the perfect start. Duncan Leese went close but was stopped short of the line. Callum Horne was on hand to score from close range. The big second row picked from the base of the ruck and there was no stopping him from 5 metres out. Ed Phillips converted. Banbury 31 Wimborne 7.

Jack Briggs continued his great form when he crossed for another Banbury score. Ian Isham threw a lovely pass under pressure to play in Jack Briggs who arched his way in from out wide to score close to the posts. Ed Phillips added the easy extras. Banbury 38 Wimborne 7.

Ian Isham got his second try of the game after another lovely bit of play from Ed Berridge. The big number 8 under heavy pressure shipped the ball on and Ian Isham put in a brilliant run, breaking two tackles before scoring out to the left. Ed Philips continued his good form with the boot to convert. Banbury 45 Wimborne 7.

Wimborne had a scrum close to their own line. The number 8 peeled off the back but Sam Mills put in a great hit to force a knock on. Ed Berridge scooped the ball up and broke through a gap in the Wimborne line to get a well deserved second try. The conversion went wide. Banbury 50 Wimborne 7.

Banbury added one last try and again Ed Berridge was at the heart of it. Peeling off the back of a scrum he threw a brilliant dummy to fix the Wimborne defence in position and once he was one on one with the fullback, he passed to Joe Mills who scored in the left corner. Ed Phillips converted from the side-line. Banbury 57 Wimborne 7.

Wimborne picked up a consolation try in added time. A Wimborne pass deflected off a Banbury defender retreating back onside, and Declan Foley reacted quickest to the loose ball to gather and score under the posts. Ryan Morrell converted to bring up the full-time whistle. Banbury 57 Wimborne 14.

A brilliant performance from the Bulls. Kicking was near impossible in the first half so to head in 24-7 up at half time was a great effort. All players from 1-18 performed and some brilliant decision making led to some great Banbury tries. Micky Fox was voted man of the match, His work rate and tenacity around the pitch was fantastic and he didn’t put a foot wrong all day.

Speaking to Banbury Coach, James Kerr, after the game:
57-14, was that the best performance from the Bulls this season? “I think the first 25 minutes, definitely. We were really clinical. We certainly enjoyed the extra possession today compared to the last few games. I thought we retained the ball really well, that was impressive. 57 points is fantastic as well. A little frustrated to concede that try at the end there but really pleased with our attack and defence overall today.”

Some of the decision-making today was very good, is that something you’ve been focusing on in training? “We had some great 3 vs 2’s and 2 vs 1’s. We’ve been making sure the boys are there to support and supporting in the right ways. I think ultimately, we just enjoyed having more possession today. You create more of those opportunities the longer you have it and I think that was something we’ve been lacking in recent weeks.”

That’s the halfway point in the season, how would sum up that first half of the season? “I think we started well but then we had a really tough run of games combined with some serious injuries to some key players. We’ve also had a lot of players in and out the team with smaller knocks or concussion and that’s been tough. The timing for that was unfortunate but we’ve come good these last 6 games. We targeted 5 points from all of these recent games and that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Beaconsfield at home next week, it’s the last game before Christmas. There is always a good atmosphere in this game. You hoping to get as many people down as possible? “Definitely, it’ll be amazing down here. Christmas Jumper night, the players will be really up for it, it’ll be a fantastic event so come down have some fun and enjoy it!”

Banbury Scorers:
Tries: Ian Isham (2) Ed Berridge (2) Sam Stoop, Tommy Gray, Callum Horne, Jack Briggs and Joe Mills
Conversions: Ed Phillips (6)