With another wet and windy week pitch 1 was deemed unplayable but the game still managed to go ahead albeit out on pitch 3. Chris Davies has been ruled out for at least 2-3 weeks with a rotator cuff injury whilst Keiran Fitzgibbon’s season is over with a torn AC joint. Justin Parker received a 1-week suspension for his red card last week whilst Duncan Leese was unavailable. There were returns for Ed Berridge and Tommy Gray whilst Ben George was named on the bench.

The opening 15 minutes were pretty even with RWB edging territory. Ed Berridge went down with a shoulder injury after putting in a big tackle. Banbury were harshly penalised after Berridge took a knee as he was clearly injured but was penalised for interfering with play when a pass struck his back. Troy Cusack kicked the resulting penalty, Banbury 0 RWB 3.

Ed Phillips was yellow carded after saying too much to the referee after a number of decisions went against Banbury.

Banbury took the lead shortly before half-time. Still down to 14 players, Tommy Gray exchanged passes with Caleb Shepherd who drew the RWB defence before Gray darted through a gap and touched down close to the posts. Alex Caviezel-Cox converted, 7-3.

Daniel Hale finished off a nice move from RWB to retake the lead. The backs showed nice skill throughout and offloaded well to score early in the second half. Conversion missed, 7-8.

Ed Phillips kicked a brilliant penalty in tricky conditions to get Banbury back in front after RWB were penalised for coming in at the side. 10-8.
Late on RWB took the lead with a sneaky lineout move. There was some debate if the lineout had gone the required 5m, but the away side took full advantage to sneak over a phase later. Scott Parry the man to score. Cusack converted to make it 10-15.

Banbury searched for a way back into the game but RWB defended well and soon the final whistle followed. A tough loss for the Bulls whose promotion hopes are now out of their hands. The last-minute pitch change wasn’t an ideal situation but the number of supporters who braved the conditions was fantastic to see. Tom Burman was selected as Banbury’s man of the match. Burman started at 13 for the first time ever but had a fantastic game, both in defence and attack.

Next week the Bulls travel down to Salisbury RFC.

15. Alex Caviezel Cox (Sponsored by: Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage) *
14. Dan Kirwin (Sponsored by: Hollywood Bowl) *
13. Tom Burman *
12. Caleb Shephard *
11. Dan Brady (Sponsored by: Allsafe Scaffolding) *
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. Ken Key (Sponsored by: Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor)
4. Lewis Wheeler *
5. Nick Pratt *
6. James Jennings
7. Jacob Mills (Sponsored by: Hire Safe Solutions) *
8. Ed Berridge (Sponsored by: BKR Property Floorplans and Lease Plans)

Replacements:
16. Tom Eyston
17. Sam Wheeler *
18. Ben George (Sponsored by: Rugbyshield)

*Graduate of the Banbury Youth Section