Banbury Bulls travelled to third placed Kidderminster looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games, but once again were undone by a poor opening half and left themselves too much to do.

A fairly settled team, with just three changes to the starting line up knew that Kidderminster would provide a tough examination and the Bulls simply did not respond quickly enough from the kick off. Pinned back in their own 22 after just minutes of play, Banbury full-back Andrew Joubert was swiftly shown a yellow card for a ruck infringement just metres from the Bulls try line.

Kidderminster looked to their powerful forward carriers to battle over the line, but were initially held up. However from the resulting scrum, the Banbury back-row were too slow to react to the Number 8 Delahay's pick and go, and the Kidderminster captain went over to score. 5-0

The Bulls needed to respond quickly and in their first foray into the Kidderminster half they earned a penalty, which Banbury skipper Ed Phillips failed to convert. Kidderminster found themselves unable to clear their lines from the 22 drop out and Banbury came onto the attack once again. With the home side conceding another penalty and the attacking move breaking down, Phillips got Banbury on the scoreboard with a smartly taken drop goal. 5-3

Kidderminster were looking the more alert and threatening of the two teams as Banbury's midfield defence was breached on several occasions, but it was the visitors who took the lead through another Phillips drop goal. 5-6

Despite taking the lead, Banbury were not playing well and when they lost a lineout in their own 22, some poor tackling allowed Delahay to force his way over the line for the second time. 10-6

Worse was to follow for the visitors as within minutes a flowing move combining backs and forwards broke through the disorganised Bulls defence. With space created out wide, Kidderminster winger Martin had enough pace to score the third try, this time with a successful conversion. 17-6

A fourth try was to follow when a missed touch finder gave Kidderminster the chance to counter attack. A flowing move combining forwards and backs saw Martin again dot down and Banbury had conceded four tries in 30 minutes. 22-6

Joubert was able to cut the deficit to 13 points with a successful penalty kick (22-9) but Banbury needed to markedly improve their second half performance or else be on the receiving end of a nasty scoreline.

And this was what they did. Banbury finally came to life in the second half, and caught Kidderminster thinking the job was done. However at only 13 points behind, Banbury realised that two converted tries would be enough to snatch the game and they soon set about giving Kidderminster a torrid second half.

The Bulls pack repeatedly put the home side under pressure especially at scrum time and Kidderminster were forced to concede increasing numbers of penalties, giving Banbury good possession and field position. Gaps were appearing and one sniping run by scrum-half Josh Deegan almost unlocked the home side defence. However it was to be Joubert who went over to finally score a deserved try and with the conversion successful, Banbury were now just 6 points adrift (22-16).

Kidderminster's attacks became fewer and fewer as the half progressed and they were guilty of conceding yet more penalties, receiving three 'final' warnings from the referee that a yellow card would be produced, however none was ever shown. Banbury continued to batter away at the Kidderminster defence, and with just 5 minutes to play quick ruck ball was produced just metres from the home side's try line. With a four on one overlap on the left it seemed that the Bulls might just sneak the game, but the one defender gambled and won. Intercepting what would have been a try-scoring pass, the Kidderminster winger Martin sprinted the length of the field to score his hat-trick and even deny Banbury a losing bonus point.

To have come so close at the end was a bitter pill for the Bulls and their travelling support to swallow, but the first half performance was simply not good enough. Kidderminster were allowed to build their lead too easily and whilst the fight back showed great strength of character, the Bulls know they need to perform from the kick-off for a full 80 minutes.

Banbury are on the road again next week, facing another stern test as they travel to fourth-placed Droitwich.