Banbury travelled up to Coventry to take on Earlsdon in the first league fixture between the two teams looking to stop the rot and turn their season around. In a match that was to prove a battle in every respect, the Bulls were to fall just short and only pick up a losing bonus point.

Banbury's team showed several changes, with skipper Ed Phillips moving from 9 to 10, in place of the injured Jed Boyle, and his brother Chris Phillips making his welcome return to first team action following a long rehab. Also sporting Banbury colours again was second-row Nick Pratt, who has recently returned to the Bulls following a stint at Broadstreet. With this bolstered pack, Banbury knew they stood a good chance.

The visitors started brightly and quickly got into their stride, working up the field through several quick phases. The speed of the Banbury breakdown led to a penalty offence by Earlsdon that allowed scrum half, Josh Deegan the chance to tap and go. The Bulls again put together several quick phases and the home side were forced to concede another penalty, which this time was easily converted by full back Andrew Joubert. Banbury were up and running with an early 3-0 lead and things were looking good.

Whether this score gave the Earlsdon team a wake up call, or whether Banbury became complacent was not clear but the rest of the half belonged to the home side. Clever and accurate kicking from the Earsldon fly-half kept Banbury in their own half, unable to get their hands on the ball in any meaningful way. When they finally did get the ball, Banbury were guilty of giving up cheap penalties that allowed Earldson to pin them back again. This repeated pressure throughout the half was too much for the Banbury defence to withstand and the home side crossed to score twice, despite some sterling defensive work, notably from skipper Phillips, who twice held the ball up over the line in the tackle.

Facing a 14-3 half-time deficit, Banbury needed to get their hands on the ball in the second half and start to make in-roads into Earlsdon territory. Earlsdon continued to use their territorial kicking game to good effect, and as Banbury looked to run the ball out from their own 22 disaster struck. Rather than taking the ball in and recycling, Banbury tried to force too many passes out of contact and a simple interception and run in for Earsldon's right winger extended their lead. At 21-3 down the game looked gone, but Banbury continued to look to play their game, and midway through the second half it started to come good.
A superb midfield play on the half-way line saw centre James Heywood scythe through the Earlsdon defence and into their 22. The ball was recycled quickly by the supporting back row and after two quick phases, Heywood was again on hand to break through the disorganised defence to score. Joubert was wide with the kick, but Banbury could feel the momentum shifting.

Another Bulls foray into the Earlsdon half was illegally halted and Joubert was back on target with the penalty, bringing the score to 21-11. As the pressure increased the discipline of the home side started to crack and repeated off the ball incidents and brawls started to mar the game, however no sanctions were handed down by the referee.

Then when an Earlsdon attacking ruck was disrupted, the Bulls needed no second invitation to pounce. Some lovely hands, strong running and good support play by the backs saw a final chip and chase over the full-back won by centre Dave Taylor, who off-loaded to supporting flanker Will Brooks to score. Joubert was again off target but Banbury were within a score and looking to snatch victory.

However, more brawling followed and a straight red card was shown on 78 minutes to the Earsldon prop for a cheap-shot punch, but with so little time left, Banbury were unable to get field position for that vital score and the home side took the win.

Banbury will hope for futher signs of improvement as Newbold-on-Avon travel to Bodicote Park next Saturday, kick off 2:15pm.