Weddington Road - Saturday 25th October 2014

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore, action photos by Simon Grieve, irreverent tweeting by Cakes.

After establishing a commanding lead midway through the second half Banbury had to weather a late comeback from their hosts and it was the Banbury players and supporters who were glad to hear the final whistle.

From the kick-off the normally reliable Bulls defence was found wanting and a series of missed tackles allowed the Nuneaton O.Es fly-half, Adam Jones, to sidestep through for an early try. With both sides making a series of unforced errors the play became increasingly scrappy, but the Bulls finally found some fluency and a neat half break and off load from Lionel Byrne (pictured) found James Heywood in support who in turn fed fellow centre Dan Tooth who crossed in the corner to level the scores.

This score proved particularly important as Banbury were down to fourteen men after flanker, Sam Mills, was yellow carded. Phillips and Jones exchanged penalties and a second Jones penalty gave the hosts the lead.. The Bulls had the final say of the half when Tooth ran an excellent line off Byrne to split the O.Es defence and No 8, Simon Brand was in support to run in from the 22. Phillips converted to give Banbury a 15-11 lead at the break.

With the wind at their backs Banbury gradually began to take control of the match and a Phillips penalty increased the lead and when a midfield scrum was won against the head accurate passing saw Heywood provide the final link to put Alex Gandy in space and the wingers pace was too much for the O.Es cover defence.

Now firmly in control the lead was further stretched when a rampaging run from James Page well supported by Stevie Nutt created pressure on the O.Es line and the ever impressive Simon Brand crashed over for the bonus point try which Phillips duly converted to put Banbury firmly in control.

However with the game seemingly in the bag the Bulls took their foot off the pedal allowing the O.Es to mount a series of attacks which culminated in a penalty try awarded when the Bulls collapsed a scrum close to their line.

From the kick-off the home side again controlled matters helped by poor Banbury tackling and centre Stu Holes crossed and the conversion from Jones narrowed the gap to five points, and it was a relieved Bulls side when this proved to be the final act of the game.