Bodicote Park - Saturday 12th October 2013

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore

Whilst coach, James Kerr, will be satisfied with the final result there will be concerns about defensive shortcoming which allowed Dunlop to remain in the match until two late tries from Alex Fogavini (pictured) made the game safe.

A somewhat lethargic start from the Bulls allowed Dunlop to open the scoring with an unconverted try, and this setback appeared to awake Banbury from their slumbers as first prolific winger Alex Gandy was put in for a try converted by Alex Fogavini and then flanker Seamus O'Dwyer showed good pace to evade the cover defence after being put clear from a well-worked blind side move. The conversion was missed but a Fogavini penalty extended the Bulls lead.

Seemingly in control weak tackling allowed Dunlop back into the game with a brace of tries to level the scores. The Bulls retook the lead with a Josh Deegan try converted by Fogavini to establish a seven point lead at the break.

A Dunlop penalty closed the gap and with the Banbury lineout misfiring and first up tackles being missed the game was in the balance, but after a Bulls try was disallowed for failing to ground the ball properly a tapped penalty close to the Dunlop line allowed Nick Pratt to force his way over for the Bulls fourth try securing the bonus point.

Again Banbury appeared to relax and the hard working Dunlop side kept the game in the balance when their scrum half nipped over for a try on an unguarded blind side, earning a well-deserved bonus point for their fourth try.

The Bulls were not to be denied however and Fogavini found a chink in the Dunlop defence for a close range try, and he followed this effort with a final try after a crunching tackle by Josh Deegan created a loose ball enabling the fly half to gather and canter in unopposed.

There is a break from league action next week and the Bulls next outing in a fortnight's time is away against unbeaten league leaders, Earlsdon. This game will be pivotal to the Bulls season and if they are to challenge near the top of the table an improvement in first up tackles and a more reliable lineout will be necessary.