Tile Hill Lane, Coventry - Saturday 30th November 2013

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore

Action photos by Simon Grieve

In a game of fluctuating fortunes there was a dramatic climax as, with the game entering added time, the Bulls having led by 22 points early in the second half, surrendered their lead, but showing great character refused to accept defeat and were rewarded for their efforts when replacement centre, David Taylor, with virtually the last play of the game, crossed for the winning score.

With the teams displaying differring styles, The Old Coventrians relying largely on their big pack of forwards, whilst the Bulls looked to their lively backs, it was of little surprise that in a game of ten tries shared equally that the Old Coventrians scores came from their forwards whilst Banbury's scores all came from their backs There was little sign of the avalanche of points to come with the opening quarter remaining pointless, but the Bulls eventually opened the scoring with an Eddie Phillips penalty, a reward for a period of sustained pressure on the home defence.

With the restart not going ten metres the Bulls won the ensuing scrum on halfway and flyhalf, Alex Fogavini (pictured), shredded the home defence to score a fine individual try. The Old Coventrians response was immediate and a try from their second row forward, Aaron Croft, converted by Alec Telfer narrowd the gap to a single point. The Old Coventrians were not helping their cause conceding a string of penalties at the breakdown, leading to three yellow cards, and the Bulls took advantage of their numerical advantage as first Carl Daniels and then Josh Deegan crossed for well worked tries, and with both efforts being converted by Phillips the Bulls held a 22-7 half time lead.

A try early in the second half from a powerful run from centre James Heywood appeared to put the Bulls in complete control, but the Old Coventrian forwards began to put a stranglehold on the game, monopolising possession and territory and soon narrowed the gap with a try from a forwards drive from an attacking lineout. It was now the Bulls who were conceding penalties which cost a yellow card. Two further close range tries from the powerful Old Coventrian forwards with Telfer adding the conversions saw the Bulls lead down to three points with the Old Coventrians very much in the ascendancy.

With the game entering added time the Old Coventrian outstanding second row forward, Aaron Croft, receiving the ball in his own half showed the pace and guile of a threequarter to outpace the Banbury defence for a try under the posts. The game looked up for the Bulls but they mounted a series of attacks and showing patience under pressure finally breached the home defence with Taylor's last gasp effort giving them them the most exciting of wins.

The Bulls next two games against high flying opponents, Old Leamingtonians and Spartans will provide a stern test to finish the first half of the season, and the Bulls will be hoping that greater solidity upfront will provide more ball for their lively backs.