Midlands 2 West (South) League Fixture

Match report by Simon Grieve

It looked all over for Earlsdon as number eight Forsyth trudged off after receiving his second yellow card, particularly as scrum-half Jones followed shortly after for a ten minute spell of spectating. Despite being five points behind – in part due to two missed penalty kicks - all Banbury had to do was keep their nerve. Phillips dived under the posts and Boyle converted to nudge the Bulls just ahead. However, two infringements plus resultant penalty goals to Earlsdon and an error-strewn final fifteen minutes from Banbury saw the home side go down by a frustrating 17 points to 21. A losing bonus point at least, but more like four points missed.

Bodicote Park – Saturday 2nd March 2013

In front of a crowd of maybe 300 Banbury kicked-off into the bright spring sunshine and with perfect conditions underfoot. Banbury edged the early exchanges and won a penalty 5 minutes in as Earlsdon were caught offside at a ruck. Only 20 metres out, and in front of the posts, Banbury full-back David Taylor conspired to hit the left-hand upright and the ball bounced back into play.

Undeterred Banbury continued to press into the Earlsdon 22 and forced a couple of snatched clearance kicks from full-back James Payne. From a lineout Banbury’s backs went left but a promising move was cut short by a high tackle in mid field. Taylor stepped forward for the 25 metre shot at goal, this time his kick was wide to the left. 10 minutes in and the Bulls should have been 6 points ahead, a fact that would come back to haunt them later.

Earlsdon now enjoyed more territory and a piercing run by their highly mobile hooker Jack Brown had Banbury scampering in defence. Two transgressions at the ruck gave Earlsdon yet more penetration as both were kicked for touch. From the second lineout 5 metres out from Banbury’s line the Earlsdon pack drove over for the first points of the match, lock Andrew Clarke being credited the score. The visiting fly-half, and Captain, Chris Scott missed the conversion from out wide and it was 5 – 0 to the visitors.

Banbury’s heads didn’t drop, in fact they came straight back at Earlsdon. With prop Ben Wilkinson on throwing duty the Bulls lineout impressed all afternoon. Winger Andrew Mawle had a promising break cut short and he found himself isolated just in the Earlsdon 22. The Bulls won a penalty from the ensuing ruck and scrum-half Josh Deegan took a quick tap. Forsyth hadn’t retreated 10 centimetres let alone 10 metres so referee Mr Makinson sent him packing for 10 minutes introspection. This was the Bulls opportunity.

Banbury opted for the scrum and the powerful pack twice forced a penalty. With the fans expecting a third and a penalty-try under the posts, Earlsdon decided to play fair but were pushed back over their line. A very satisfying score with Bulls Captain Simon Brand dotting the ball down at the rear of the scrum. Fly-half Jed Boyle took over kicking duties but with no more luck than Taylor – the score remained 5 points all and 30 minutes had gone.

The Bulls tried to press their numbers advantage from the restart with the backs trying several moves off the breakdowns. Boyle looked dangerous when in space but struggled for support, one move that had potential was a lovely grubber kick through by Mawle for Carl Davies to chase. However the frequency of Banbury’s handling errors frustrated those both on and off the pitch. Earlsdon won a free-kick for early engagement at a scrum just inside the Banbury half. This time the Bulls were guilty of not retreating 10 at the tap and the ensuing run was only stopped by a try-saving tackle from Mawle.

With Forsyth back on, Earlsdon opted for a three-man lineout on Banbury’s 5 metre line and somehow drove the defending hordes back over to score, Andrew Clarke claiming the points. Fortunately Scott was suffering the yips too and the conversion fell short. 10-5 to the visitors and the Bodicote Park faithful squirmed in their seats.

Banbury took the game straight back to Earlsdon and soon had a penalty that Boyle put into the Green Room corner just 10 metres out. The Bulls lineout still held true and forced Earlsdon into a series of defensive rucks on their 5 metre line, but Banbury were pressured into a knock-on. One more promising Bulls attack saw Deegan run just into touch and the half was up. Still 10-5 to Earlsdon and much for Coach Kerr to ponder - generally the game had been pretty open and was still up for grabs.

Banbury brought on Seamus O’Dwyer to replace flanker Andy Chapman and the second half got underway. Again the Bulls piled forward and soon had a driving maul held up as it went over Earlsdon’s line. Banbury won another penalty at the ensuing scrum and the quick thinking Brand tapped and charged from just 5 metres out. He wasn’t going to be stopped and the score was level again at 10-10. Boyle failed to add more with the boot.

It’s not unkind to say that neither side were playing rugby they will wish to be remembered for and there was tangible frustration all round. However, Earlsdon’s resolve certainly wasn’t in doubt and they were soon capitalising on a missed Bulls kick to touch. From a counter-ruck they released the backs wide out left and outside centre Rhys Roberts was last in the line and touched down. Scott missed the conversion but the visitors were back in the lead by15-10.

Back into Earlsdon’s half and Banbury’s lineout machine turned over another ball. From the ruck that formed Forsyth was deemed to have taken Deegan just a tad early and Sir reached for the yellow. As Forsyth walked the Bodicote Park grandstand rang out to the cry of “red Sir” and indeed the Earlsdon eight would play no further part in the remaining 25 minutes. Surely the Bulls would win at a canter from here?

In fact it should have become a slam-dunk for Banbury less than 10 minutes later when scrum-half Robert Jones saw yellow having been deemed to have brought down Banbury’s rolling maul. With the Bulls lineout and scrum working so well Boyle went for the corner with the penalty kick.

Bizarrely a hand deflected the ball into touch in-goal and the Bulls had a 5 metre scrum. Brown hooked for Earlsdon, the scrum went over 90 and the scrum was turned over. Next time Earlsdon appeared to pop up but it was the Bulls deemed to have infringed and the visitors cleared their lines. A seminal moment?

With Earlsdon down to 13 men for 10 minutes Banbury took their chances. It wasn’t pretty, in fact it was very scrappy, but points were needed and fast. Earlsdon put up a superb defence and forced the Bulls into all sorts of nervy-looking handling woes.

However, Brand broke off another Banbury scrum and fed flanker Chris Phillips who barged through between the posts to make it level again at 15-15. Boyle shouldn’t miss from here and he duly gave Banbury a slender 17-15 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

If Banbury thought it was job done they received an immediate wake-up call. Straying off side at a ruck from the restart Banbury gifted Scott a tricky 35 metre shot for the lead. Showing nerves of steel he duly slotted the penalty goal for an 18-17 lead and Banbury had it all to do again.

With Earlsdon now back up to 14 players perhaps Banbury’s opportunity had passed. James Kerr sent on Rory Dymond as replacement for the now injured Phillips as the game entered the last 10 minutes. Both sides were visibly tiring and the error-count by both sides was high, perhaps Banbury’s seemed worse because the home crowd complained the loudest.

The Bulls lineout continued to be a force and they turned over a vital one on their own 10 meters. The play went across the field and again Banbury were caught off side at a ruck, this time giving Scott a 30 metre shot at goal and a chance to seal the match. This he duly did and the score of 21-17 to the visitors was unchanged at the final whistle.

In summary a match with few redeeming features, unless you were an Earlsdon supporter of course. Too many stoppages for infringements and injuries that prevented a flowing game of rugby from breaking out. Full credit to the visitors, they dealt with going down to 13 men brilliantly and kicked long in the last quarter to frustrate Banbury’s efforts.

For the Bulls, it is anticipated that analysis of the error-count will prove sobering, as will the missed opportunities to add match-winning points with the boot. At least the lads earned a bonus point which is just reward for running their hearts out.

Referee: Mr. Russ Makinson (Buckingham Society)
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