The Bulls welcomed back James Jennings from injury but unfortunately will be without the services of Ed Berridge for some time who picked up an ankle injury in training.

Old Cents got off to a blistering start and were quickly in to an early 10-0 lead. Tries from big forwards Sam Preece and Mike Mathers making it look like it might be a long day for the Bulls.

Ed Phillips narrowed the lead with a penalty after Alex Caviezel Cox was taken out after kicking the ball behind following a nice break from Banbury. 10-3.

Rob Jones scored a try from deep for the home side to put Old Cents firmly back in control. Banbury turning the ball over on the halfway line and Old Cents punished the mismatch in numbers for a try in the corner. Converted, 17-3.

Ed Phillips saw yellow for Banbury after he picked up a number of first half penalties. Old Cents took full advantage of the extra man and some poor defending from Banbury allowed Robert Winchle to secure a first half try bonus point for Old Cents. Conversion missed, 22-3.

Despite being a man down Banbury narrowed the lead before half time with a fine solo score from Tommy Gray. The fly-half throwing a lovely dummy before skipping his way through the covering defence for a score out to the left. Duncan Leese took over the kicking duties to make it 22-10 at half time.

Tommy Gray was at the heart of Banbury’s next try as well. A lovely burst and one-handed offload released Keiran Fitzgibbon who sprinted his way over from the edge of the 22. Ed Phillips was back on and added the extras, 22-17.

Old Cents made it a two-score game with good work again from their forwards. The league leaders have some big boys who are very well drilled when it comes to set pieces. Whilst it might not be the most entertaining rugby in the world it’s certainly effective. Conversion missed, 27-17.

Another turnover from Banbury gifted Old Cents a try as Soloman Farrer sprinted over for a score in the corner. Old Cents finally found their kicking boots and added the extras, 34-17.

Tom Macdonald kept Banbury in the game after Tom Eyston released him down the right wing before the flanker dived over. Converted, 34-24.

Liam Hemming kicked a penalty after Banbury were penalised for not releasing. The Old Cents centre making sure he took all his allocated time with a kick straight in front of the sticks. 37-24.

The win was beyond Banbury, but a late try would secure a losing bonus point as well as a try bonus point but a horrible looking injury for Tom Macdonald took the wind out of the Banbury sails. The flanker putting in a brave tackle and accidentally taking a knee to the head leaving Macdonald out cold. It was fantastic to see after a long delay Macdonald walking off the pitch with some assistance.

Banbury battled until the end, but Old Cents are league leaders for a reason and masters of retaining possession. A promising Banbury break ending with a turnover at the full-time whistle rather summed up Banbury’s afternoon. The Bulls were going to have to be at their best to come out victorious but Banbury gifted possession far to often to a team you really can’t afford to. Banbury deserved something from the game, but it just wasn’t their day. Next week the Bulls host Old Patesians inside The DCS Stadium. All support greatly appreciated.

Speaking to Matt Goode after the game:

Not Banbury’s day today. You were going to have to be at your best to win but was it just too many errors today?

“Too many errors, I think we gifted them a lot of their tries. Our discipline was poor. Our height of contact wasn’t great. That’s a game we could have won. We were competitive throughout we just didn’t work hard enough. Our passion and drive in the opening 30 minutes was non-existent. We made it in to their 22 so many times and then coughed the ball up and we’re back to square one.”

Do you think the number of penalties, particularly back chat penalties conceded highlighted that lack of discipline?

“It wasn’t to do with frustration at the referee or them (Old Cents) it was frustration at ourselves. We’re not a team that’s ready to go up yet because our discipline isn’t good enough. Our basics when we get to the 22 was really poor. We’ve got a good enough squad to adapt to most situations. We’ve had a weekend off so there shouldn’t have been any niggles. They were well rested. No excuses. 40 minutes we played well. But 40 minutes isn’t good enough against a decent side like that. I’m expecting a reaction next weekend vs Old Patesians”

Realistically that’s probably the chance of automatic promotion gone. Does the focus change to that playoff spot for the rest of the season?

“I want us to finish the season off with no losses from here. I’m not fussed about the league position. I want performances from the boys. I want us to start adapting to the things we’re working on in training. I want to see them learning and progressing as players. If we do all that, let’s see where we are at the end of the season.”

Point Scorers:
Tries: Tommy Gray, Keiran Fitzgibbon and Tom Macdonald
Conversions: Ed Phillips (2) Duncan Leese (1)
Penalty: Ed Phillips (1)

15. Joe Mills (Sponsored by: DTC International) *
14. Justin Parker (Sponsored by Wurzel Broadband) *
13. Caleb Shepherd *
12. Duncan Leese (Sponsored by Wednesday Strollers)
11. Alex Caviezel Cox (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage) *
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. Ian Isham (Captain) (Sponsored by: William Green Architects) *
3. Tom Eyston
4. Joel Thomas (Sponsored by: The Troopers)
5. Keiran Fitzgibbon (Sponsored by: Heaven & Stubbs) *
6. James Jennings
7. Tom Macdonald (Sponsored by Liberis) *
8. Jacob Mills (Sponsored by: Hire Safe Solutions) *

Replacements:
16. Chris Davies (Sponsored by: GDC Rail & Civils)
17. Nick Pratt *
18. Dan Kirwin (Sponsored by: Hollywood Bowl) *

*Graduate of the Banbury Youth Section