Match report by Chris Phillips

Banbury fielded a changed side; seeing Lee Tustain in for Seamus O’Dear up front and in a reshuffled backline, Jed Boyle moved to fly half to cover injured Banbury skipper Ed Phillips, Carl Daniels moved in from the wing to the centres, Andy Mawle and Dan Trinder filled the wing spots. Simon Brand took the captaincy duties for the afternoon.

Droitwich looked to control the early encounters. However Banbury’s defence held strong, until a lapse in discipline meant a quick tap and go from the Droitwich scrum half resulted in an unconverted try. This was followed by a penalty giving the home side an 8-0 lead.

Banbury applied pressure up the middle of the park, after a quick Jed Boyle break the ball was moved wide and Dave Taylor evaded several would be tacklers to dot down in the corner, 8-5. Jed Boyle broke again but sustained a broken noise which resulted in a reshuffle of the backline, with flanker Chris Phillips moving to 12 and Taylor to fly half. This reorganisation resulted in a slip of Banbury’s defence allowing Droitwich in behind, they applied pressure in the 22 moving the ball quickly around the fringes and crashing over the line. The conversion was on target, 15-5.

The play was more open in the second half and Banbury looked to make forays into the Droitwich half. Banbury were hit on the break and the scrambled defence unable to cope. After several quick phases Droitwich made ground up the middle and eventually went over for a converted try, 22-5.

Banbury looked to take the game to Droitwich and the pack put down a marker as they imposed themselves at the scrum. Banbury used runners from the forwards and centres to create space for Taylor out wide. He linked well with Heywood, Mawle and Daniels down the left before powering over, 22-10.

The remainder of the game became scrappy as both sides pushed for a score. Banbury worked the ball about the pitch well and again, man of the match, Taylor was on the end of another move as he scooted over for his hat-trick.

Banbury pressed for the rest of the game but were unable to break through for the score they need to draw level, the game ended 22-15. Injuries, players out of position and a lot of heart meant Banbury came away with their 3rd bonus point of the season, and a well fought one.
.