Due to unavailability’s Matt Goode handed Bulls debuts to Oscar Triggs and Keiran Fitzgibbon. Both products of the Banbury youth section. James Jennings made his first start after impressing off the bench last weekend.

We were saddened to hear that Beaconsfield’s Captain suffered a broken ankle last weekend and we wish Sean a speedy recovery.
After most of the team got stuck on the M40 due to an accident the reduced warm up time was probably a mixed blessing. A very dusty, dry track combined with blue skies and sunshine meant this was going to be a tough day on the legs.

Beaconsfield kicked off but it was Banbury who took the early lead. The Bulls kicked to the corner after winning a scrum penalty and although the rolling maul was stopped short, James Jennings drove his way over a few phases later. Duncan Leese converted to give Banbury an early 0-7 lead.

The momentum swayed Beaconsfield way after a very even opening 15 minutes when James Jennings was yellow carded for not retreating 10 metres after a quickly taken penalty. Aled Lewis kicked the resulting penalty to make it 3-7.

Beaconsfield took advantage of their extra man. After a line break and with the Bulls back peddling, Aled Lewis whipped a pass over the top and Jonathan Baxter gathered before scoring out to the right. Lewis converted to make it 10-7.

Banbury retook the lead when Duncan Leese crossed. Keiran Fitzgibbon made a great run, dragging in the Beaconsfield defenders before Tommy Gray grubbered the ball through. Leese chased the ball and after a kind bounce, gathered and touched down to retake the lead. Conversion missed, 10-12.

Beaconsfield got back in front with a try from deep. Some dodgy defending from Banbury saw Jonathan Baxter get through the Banbury line far too easily. Baxter showed great composure to time his pass though, releasing Idrusu Labri down the left wing before the pacey winger sprinted his way over out to the left. Aled Lewis converted, 17-12.

Banbury responded in the best possible fashion. From the restart they won a penalty which the Bulls kicked to the corner. From the lineout the pack showed good patience to get Chris Davies into a scoring position before the hooker burst his way over from close range. Leese converted, 17-19.

Banbury extended the lead with a brilliant team try that will certainly have pleased Head Coach, Matt Goode. Jack Briggs made the initial break, Ben George extended it and after some nice passing, James Jennings slipped the ball back to Briggs to score under the posts. Something that has really stood out this season isn’t the number of line breaks, it’s the number that end in points. The decision making under pressure has been fantastic. Leese added the extras just before the half time whistle. 17-26.

The Bulls started the second half where they finished the first. Oscar Triggs nearly scored in the corner but made the correct decision to go down and stay inbounds. James Jennings caught the ball at first receiver and refused to go to ground, breaking three tackles before offloading to Ed Phillips on his outside shoulder. Phillips gathered before diving over from close range. Leese converted, 17-33.

Beaconsfield lost Matthew Brown for 10 minutes after he was yellow carded for a high tackle. It was Banbury’s turn to take advantage of the extra man. Tommy Gray put a crossfield kick in and young Oscar Triggs caught the ball in stride before touching down out to the left for a try on his Bulls debut. Leese hit a tricky conversion, 17-40.

Banbury repeated the trick 5 minutes later when Duncan Leese kicked to the other corner. This time Dan Kirwin was the one to catch the ball on the run before scoring in the right-hand corner. Leese pushed the conversion attempt wide. 17-45.

Matt Goode brought himself on for the final few minutes and was straight in the thick of it, timing a lovely pass to Jack Briggs who burst through the Beaconsfield line before touching down under the posts. Ed Phillips had taken over the kicking duties after Duncan Leese had gone off and added the easy extras. 17-52.

Both teams had late chances but a promising break from James Jennings ended when he kicked out on the full to bring up the full-time whistle. A great performance from Banbury in sweltering conditions. James Jennings was picked as Banbury’s Man of the Match. On his first start for the club Jennings put in an inspired performance. His turnovers at crucial times were key to Banbury’s success.

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

From 17-12 down to 17-52 you must be impressed by the turnaround? “Definitely, we’re always talking about what we need to put right. The boys responded well. I think our fitness prevailed. It’s nice to have a young team making the difference.”

You handed starts to three news boys, James Jennings, Oscar Triggs and Keiran Fitzgibbon. Two of them scoring, Keiran heavily involved as well. You’ve got to be delight at that as head coach? “It’s great and shows the fantastic depth we’ve got as a club. We’ve got two lads in the team today who were playing Colts last season and they didn’t look out of place. It’s humbling to score that many points against a good side like Beaconsfield. We’re attracting players to the club from the local area. They like the ethos, they like the way we play.”

A big win for the 2nd team today as well. There seems to be a fantastic atmosphere at the club from top to bottom at the moment, as Head Coach you must love seeing that? “The club is undefeated in the league at the moment, Bulls, Lions, Wanderers and Belles. It was a shame we couldn’t get a side together for a friendly for the 3s today but we’re in a really good place at the moment.”

Chippenham at home next weekend. It’s a fixture that’s been regularly separated by a single point. You hoping for something a bit less nerve wracking? “It’s come down to a single point so many times. They’ve had a couple good results. They pride themselves on having a young side. Ours is young as well these days. It’ll be a good game to watch. I think getting as many supporters up as possible will be massive for Banbury.”

Finally, there were some good individual performances but who was your Man of the Match? “Isham was good, Keiran carried really well, Tommy ran the show but for me James Jennings was Man of the Match. His turnovers were fantastic, line breaks, working 2 on 1’s. He tried a little kick there at the end which didn’t quite come off, but I love the ambition.”

Try Scorers: Jack Briggs (2) James Jennings, Chris Davies, Duncan Leese, Oscar Triggs, Ed Phillips and Dan Kirwin.
Conversions: Duncan Leese (5) Ed Phillips (1)

15. Ben George (Sponsored by: Rugbyshield)
14. Dan Kirwin
13. Duncan Leese (Sponsored by Wednesday Strollers)
12. Jack Briggs (Sponsored by: Wykham Park Farm)
11. Oscar Triggs
10. Tommy Gray (Sponsored by: Edd Frost & Daughters)
9. Ed Phillips (Sponsored by: P Montanaro – ITSM Consultancy)

1. James Leonardi (Sponsored by: Tim Varney)
2. Chris Davies (Sponsored by: GDC Rail & Civils)
3. Ian Isham (Captain) (Sponsored by: William Green Architects)
4. Kallum Dixey (Sponsored by: Gallagher Insurance Brokers)
5. Will Thurlow
6. Jacob Mills (Sponsored by: Hire Safe Solutions)
7. James Jennings
8. Keiran Fitzgibbon (Sponsored by: Heaven & Stubbs)

Replacements:
16. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
17. Tom Eyston
18. Matt Goode (Sponsored by: Hook Norton Crop Consultancy)