Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore

Bodicote Park - Saturday 27th September 2014

The Bulls will be very pleased with this deserved bonus point win against their local rivals but this clash was a lot closer than the final score suggests. It took two late tries to secure the decisive advantage which put the gloss on this often scrappy game which saw Banbury retain their place on the top of the table.

From the opening kick-off the Bulls put the Leamington defence under a great deal of pressure earning a penalty in front of the posts which the normally reliable Phillips contrived to miss. Banbury continued to look the more dangerous side but handling errors and a resolute Leamington defence kept the scoreboard blank. Having weathered the opening storm it was the visitors turn to pressurise the home line but were unable to create a score.

As a largely forgettable, error strewn half was drawing to a close the Bulls forced a turnover in midfield and a powerful break by centre, James Heywood (pictured), opened up the Leamington defence and a well timed pass released the supporting Ed Phillips in for the opening try which he converted himself. Another Heywood break saw Josh Deegan hauled down just short of the line which left the Bulls taking a narrow lead into the second half.

With the game being played at a fast pace with both sides looking to run the ball there was a lot of good rugby to be enjoyed by a good crowd and with play going from one end to the other it was the Bulls who struck a decisive blow when pressure in the visitors 22 resulted in a yellow card for a Leamington forward for a dangerous tackle and spurning the opportunity for an easy three points from the ensuing penalty the Bulls opted for a scrum and following a number of drives for the line prop, Garry Byott, forced his way over. Phillips again converting.

Any thoughts that the game was now won were quickly dispelled when a loose clearing kick from the Bulls was fielded by Leamington winger, Ryan Bryne, who finding two Banbury forwards in front of him had the pace to avoid the would be tacklers to cross for a well taken try. With the game in the balance going into the closing stages the Bulls upped their game. A sharp break from the influential Phillips saw him lose the ball in crossing the line but the Bulls remained on the attack and good ball retention and accurate passing gave Simon Brand, who enjoyed a typically rumbustious game at No 8, a clear run to the line for a cherished try against his former club. With Phillips adding the extras and the game in the closing minutes the Bulls went looking for the bonus point try and with the very final play of the game hooker, Giles Saar, forced his way over.

Whilst the Bulls have had an excellent start to the season there are areas of their game which will need improvement for sterner struggles ahead. The lineout in particular is a cause for concern whilst the backs will want to eradicate the handling errors that creep in from time to time. Nevertheless the Bulls are producing a good brand of free-flowing rugby and can look forward to a successful league campaign.