Photos by Simon Grieve

After last weekend’s disappointing loss, the Bulls had some rights to wrong. Both sides were struggling with availability and injuries, but the game was played in a good spirit and to a good standard.

Ian Isham got Banbury off to a great start with an early try. The Bulls pack stole a 5m scrum against the head and a couple phases later Isham showed great strength to force his way over. Ed Phillip’s conversion came back off the post, 5-0.

Banbury extended the lead when Callum Horne crossed. The Bulls forced Stratford out to give themselves a 5m lineout and the Banbury pack did the rest, driving over from close range. Ed Phillips kicked a tricky conversion into a head wind to make it 12-0.

Duncan Leese and Joe Mills combined to give Banbury good territory, Stratford forced to kick the ball out close to their own line. From the resulting lineout Ian Isham found his man before gathering at the back of the rolling maul and driving over in the clubhouse corner. The conversion attempt was wide, 17-0.

Stratford narrowed the lead with a try of their own. Good breaks got them to within 5 metres of the Banbury line and when they won a penalty, they went quickly to Charlie Powell who dived over out to the left. Gwil Davis converted, 17-7. The scores remained unchanged until halftime.

Banbury started the second half with the wind, and it wasn’t long before Ian Isham was in again. Another rolling maul in a near repeat of his second try bringing up his hat-trick. The conversion was wide, 22-7.

Stratford scored their second try after some sustained pressure, Banbury defended well but eventually the pressure told and Mark Hibberd went over in the corner. Gwil Davis did well to convert from the sideline, 22-14.

Ed Phillips kicked a penalty to settle any nerves after Stratford were penalised for a deliberate knock on. Banbury 25 Stratford 14.

After Banbury lost Matt Brock and Sam Carr-Archer to injuries both sides were left with very makeshift scrums. The Bulls scrum consisting of 4 props, 2 hookers, a flanker and a number 8. Still the Banbury scrum was on top and after they won another penalty, Ed Phillips used the advantage to throw a looping pass out wide. The bounce was kind and Ian Isham gratefully gathered the ball before diving over out to the left. Ed Phillips converted, 32-14.

Sam Stoop punished a narrow Stratford defensive line when he chipped in behind and Duncan Leese was there to gather before crossing in
the corner. The conversion went wide, 37-14.

Ian Isham turned provider for Banbury’s final try. Isham put in a quick pass to Steve Potter who burst through the Stratford line before sprinting his way over for his first ever Banbury Bulls try, much to the delight of the Banbury players and supporters. Ed Phillips sliced his conversion wide, but the victory was sealed, 42-14.

A good win for Banbury, especially after last weekend the Bulls did well to pick themselves up. Credit to Stratford, they worked hard all game and it is a shame to see them relegated. Stratford was always a good place to travel to with a good atmosphere and great hospitality, hopefully we’ll meet again soon. Unsurprisingly Ian Isham was Banbury’s man of the match, after last weekend the Bulls needed a captain’s performance and Isham certainly led from the front. Scoring 4 tries is an incredible achievement and his overall performance was brilliant.

Speaking to Banbury Bulls, Head Coach, Matt Goode, after the game:

42-14, after last weekend, was that the reaction you were after? “We wanted 5 points and that’s exactly what we got. The second half we were good, and we finished the game very well. There was a lot more quality than last week and I thought we looked sharp.”
Ian Isham with 4 tries today, he’s got to be your standout player, hasn’t he? “He led from the front and looked class. We needed someone to stand up and take control and he was the man today. A proper captain’s performance.”

It wasn’t great conditions wise, probably a day to tuck it up the sleeve, the forwards really stepped up though didn’t they? “We’ve been saying it all year we can play in a number of different ways. We can be creative with the backs but sometimes you need a bit of muscle and to be sensible with the ball. The backs did well to get us into good attacking positions and the forwards finished them off very well. The forwards were just a bit too dominant today.”

A number of players out of position by the end their, is that further proof of the great depth you’ve got? “It makes a bit of a difference how we can play but to actually see the squad and the depth we’ve got is great. We had props in the back row, second row, but I think it shows that some of the boys have a tremendous amount of talent. Overall I’m really pleased with the boys.”