Matt Goode made 8 changes to the starting line-up from last weekend. Caleb Shepherd started for the Bulls for the first time after moving back from Australia. Caleb is a Banbury youth product and looks one to watch following an impressive debut.

The game was nearly off before it started following heavy rain overnight. A late pitch inspection was passed but the conditions underfoot certainly weren’t easy. The Banbury pack set the tone early, driving a scrum over the Old Pats try line before Jacob Mills got the ball down for an early score. Alex Caviezel Cox (CC) was off target with the conversion, 0-5.

Following a huge hit from Joe Mills, Banbury turned the ball over on the edge of the Pats 22. A couple phases later Kallum Dixey was running a brilliant line to smash through the Pats defence before bundling over the last man for a try out to the left. CC pushed his conversion wide, 0-10.

Banbury were soon back in the Pats 22. The pack won another penalty at the scrum and with the advantage Justin Parker darted down the blindside before playing in Joe Mills to score in the corner. Kallum Dixey and Joe Mills becoming the 17th and 18th different Bulls try scorers this season! CC converted with the toughest kick of the afternoon, 0-17.

The Bulls secured a try bonus point before halftime. Banbury kicked for the corner after winning a penalty. Chris Davies overthrew his man at the lineout but luckily for Banbury, James Leonardi was on hand to catch the ball before beating a couple men and diving over from 5 metres out. Converted, 0-24.

Pats had the slope in the second half, but it was Banbury who got off to the perfect start. Alex Caviezel Cox charged down a kick before kicking the loose ball off the ground in to the in-goal area and diving on the ball for a lovely solo try. Conversion missed, 0-29.

Jacob Mills scored his second try of the game after a lovely break from Tom Macdonald. Some quick hands played in Mills to dot down to the right of the posts. CC converted, 0-36.

Old Patesians picked up two late scores from substitute, James Astley. One of which was converted by Marcus Raymond. The full-time whistle followed shortly afterwards though. A great performance from the Bulls. The Bulls won the game in the opening half with some fantastic play. The Banbury pack performed brilliantly. Dominating the set piece throughout. Kallum Dixey was picked as Banbury’s Man of the Match. Dixey defended superbly, consistently putting Old Patesians on the back foot and his try in the first half capped a brilliant overall performance.

Speaking to Matt Goode after the game:

After last weekends loss was that the perfect response from the Bulls? “Yep, 100% we wanted 5 points and we got it. To come here and get 5 points is no mean feat. It was outstanding. The boys were clinical and did really well.”

Not easy conditions out there underfoot, big slope as well, were you impressed from what you saw from the boys? “Really impressed. We spoke about it in the week. We were going to change things up. Obviously, we put some different boys in, in some different positions. We brought some old heads in and that all seemed to work. I think we started extremely well. We wanted to attack up the hill in the first half, but we lost the toss. We scored 24 really quick points and never really looked back from there. They were putting a few shots in trying to wind the boys up but I’m really proud of the boys for not reacting and playing their game.”

The whole pack were top class today, were you particularly impressed by some of their performances? “Yeah really impressed. They controlled the game. A few of the backs were saying in the huddle afterwards they didn’t really feel like they had to do much and commended them on their performance. It shows they really stood up and took control. Kallum Dixey was outstanding today. He was man of the match and he led from the front. He carried well. His tackling was immense.”

Massive game next weekend. Big derby vs Oxford Harlequins. Will you be leaning on some of the experienced players for that one? “We’ll regroup as a coach’s group over the next few days and have a chat about Quins and who we want to have in the squad to try and win that game. Maybe a couple changes but not too many. I think the boys that played today responded really well. Caleb Shepherd getting his first start at 12 today played really well. We know his pedigree, he’s a young Banbury boy. For his first game I thought he was quality.”

You’ve got fantastic depth at the club at the moment. Is it a good headache to have that you have to think long and hard about 1-15 almost every week now? “It’s an excellent headache to have. We can talk to the players, rest players. The boys take it on the chin if they’re dropped after a poor performance. We like to look after our players and give them a rest when we can. So, to have that depth is amazing. To see the 2’s results as well is so impressive. We’ve got plenty of fighting for spots.”

Try Scorers: Jacob Mills (2) Kallum Dixey, Joe Mills, James Leonardi, Alex Caviezel Cox.
Conversions: Alex Caviezel Cox (3)

15. Alex Caviezel Cox (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage)
14. Joe Mills (Sponsored by: DTC International)
13. Duncan Leese (Captain) (Sponsored by Wednesday Strollers)
12. Caleb Shepherd
11. Dan Brady (Sponsored by: Allsafe Scaffolding)
10. Ed Phillips (Sponsored by: P Montanaro – ITSM Consultancy)
9. Justin Parker (Sponsored by Wurzel Broadband)

1. James Leonardi (Sponsored by: Tim Varney)
2. Chris Davies (Sponsored by: GDC Rail & Civils)
3. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
4. Kallum Dixey (Sponsored by: Gallagher Insurance Brokers)
5. Sam Carr-Archer
6. James Jennings
7. Tom Macdonald
8. Jacob Mills (Sponsored by: Hire Safe Solutions)

Replacements:
16. Felix Marot
17. Callum Horne
18. Oscar Triggs