Deep into injury time Banbury were trailing but from concerted pressure on the Shipston line No 8 Simon Brand forced his way over close to the posts, leaving Eddie Phillips a relatively easy conversion to win the game. Phillips duly obliged to leave Banbury very relieved winners.

The Bulls have only themselves to blame for leaving the result in doubt up to the final whistle as they dominated both possession and territory, especially in the first half with the pack providing the backs with a stream of ball.

However handling errors and poor ball retention allied to stout Shipston defence left Banbury having only a Phillips penalty to show for their efforts at the break in reply to a breakaway try from Shipston centre, Tom Corby, who powered through flimsy tackling to score in the corner.

Turning to face the wind Banbury were facing an uphill task, but the backs finally found some fluency to find space for winger Carl Daniels who held off the cover defence for a fine try. This score galvanised the Shipston team and the Bulls were forced onto the back foot, conceding a stream of penalties, and from concerted pressure the home defence was outflanked allowing winger Josh Byrd an easy run in.

The conversion was missed but a penalty from Toby Jones increased the Shipston lead. With the game seemingly slipping away the Bulls, with second row forward Nick Pratt to the fore, lay seige in the Shipston 22 but again unforced errors allowed Shipston to keep their line intact until the final minute with the Brand try giving the Bulls a lifeline in their fight against relegation.

A relieved skipper, Eddie Phillips praised the effort of his forwards with Nick Pratt, Simon Brand and Chris Phillips being particularly strong ball carriers, and will be looking for the backs to cut their error rate in crucial games to come firstly against mid-table, Dunlop, and particularly fellow strugglers, Leamington.

With both these games being at Bodicote Park two victories should see the Bulls climbing clear of the relegation spots.

Referee: Mr Dave Conway

Match reporting: Bob Mitchelmore.