Banbury embarked on their first away coach trip of the season to take on league new boys, Peterborough Lions. With little to go on other than other results, it seemed that Banbury would be facing a stern test against the only team to have beaten league leaders Market Harborough.

The day did not start auspiciously as last-minute cry-offs saw Banbury reduced to travelling with just 16 players and coach Grant Holmes making his first appearance on the wing for… well years. Other changes saw Mathew Shepley come back into prop alongside returning student Ian Isham as hooker. Jed Boyle took the other wing slot as Jon Paton moved to cover inside-centre.

After a decent journey, the Bulls arrived in good spirit and focussed on the job in hand. The pitch was boggy in places and there was a light breeze but otherwise conditions were good for mid-December. The match opened with both sides warily sizing each other up and using markedly differing tactics from the off. Whilst Lions kicked the ball in a bid to gain field position, the Bulls in contrast looked to take the home side on with ball in hand but with neither side gaining an obvious early advantage.

The first points-scoring opportunity went to the home side when a ruck infringement in front of the posts gave the Lions 10 a chance to get his side on the board. However the Bulls were let off as his kick went wide.

As the half wore on Banbury’s attacking approach started to bear fruit and some slick handling along the backline saw Boyle dive over in the corner to open the Bulls account. Banbury continued to pile on the pressure with the forwards starting to outplay their opposite numbers in the loose. A number of mauls were marched up the pitch at crucial times to help clear the Banbury lines. It was from some good, quick ruck ball that Banbury next got on the score sheet. This time it was scrum-half Eddie Philips who spotted a gap behind the onrushing defence. He cleverly chipped the ball through and was first to gather the bouncing ball before going over for his try. With fly-half Joe Mills adding the extras Banbury now had a 12-0 lead and things were looking good for the loyal supporters who’d travelled with the team.

However, things did not kick on for either team for the remainder of the half. The Lions fly-half missed another penalty chance and Banbury seemed to get carried away and try to play ‘barbarians’ style in conditions that didn’t answer. With many potential scoring chances going begging for Banbury the went in just 12-0 up at half-time.

The second-half opened with a change of tactics from Lions who looked to their big tight-five forwards to run the ball close in at the Bulls defence. It looked like it would prove to be a successful change of tack as the Lions pack came close to opening the score in the second-half, but a combination of good defensive work by the visitors and some poor passing by the home backs saw the move break down.

It took until the hour mark for Banbury to finally start stretching ahead when a well-worked line-out move saw flanker Andy Oddy take the ball up before offloading to Matt Brock in support. The experienced lock kept the ball alive and the ball was fed out to Number 8 Simon Brand. He fixed the full-back and passed outside to Jon Paton who finished off an excellent example of handling and precision that showed the Bulls team at its best.

With the home-side struggling to kick clear with any real gain in ground it was no surprise to see Banbury pull even further away. This time the ball was caught from a clearing kick and shipped wide to outside-centre Adam Walsh, who broke through one tackle, fixed the last defender and fed outside to Holmes who ran in to score in the corner and give the Bulls a 22-0 lead.

And Banbury sealed the victory with a final try by Paton after yet more slick handling and off-loading by both forwards and backs created space for the centre to bag his brace. Mills added the extras and Banbury ran out deserved winners 29-0.

With a good victory under their belt the squad and supporters enjoyed their return journey to Banbury, ably led by newly-inaugurated Banbury legend Micky Lewis and supported by new club members Edward Ciderhands and Amy Winehands. A short detour also allowed the squad to share their good news with Club Chairman Colin Fairbrother, who was holding a party in celebration of his grand-daughter’s birthday.

Bulls now go into their last game of 2009 with a one-point advantage over previous leaders Market Harborough, who lost to at home to Vipers. Aylestone St James visit Bodicote Park this Saturday for a 2:15pm kick off.