Bodicote Park - Saturday 1st November 2014.

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore, photos and video by Simon Grieve, rambling tweets from @PhillipsCake

The opening to the game was symptomatic of much that was to follow as Banbury fumbled the kick-off allowing the visitors to establish an early foothold in the home 22 forcing a penalty in front of the posts and the Bulls were thankful when the easy kicked was missed.

The home side gradually began to get a hold of the game making a number of line breaks with some powerful running but handling errors prevented the Bulls from opening their account and it took a charge down by the alert Eddie Phillips to secure the first score.

Despite playing into the wind the Bulls proceeded to dominate proceedings and whilst a number of chances went begging the constant pressure was bound to tell and tries in quick succession from Simon Brand and Alex Gandy put the Bulls firmly in control. With James Heywood crashing over from close range having been fed by skipper Phillips, the Bulls had the bonus point in the bag before half time and the lead was further extended when Josh Deegan intercepted a loose Old Coventrian pass to run in from halfway. With Phillips having converted four of the tries the Bulls held a commanding 33-0 half time lead.

The second half saw the play becoming increasingly scrappy with numerous errors from both sides and the flow of play was interrupted by frequent stoppages for injury. Eventually a powerful burst from second row, Nick Pratt, paved the way for a try from Dan Tooth. Phillips again adding the conversion. Although being outplayed the Old Coventrians refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded when a rare visit to the home 22 resulted in a try in the corner for Simon Gamble.

The Bulls responded with a second try for man-of-the-match, Simon Brand, who broke a number of tackles in a rampaging 40 metre run to the line. Phillips added the extras and Banbury took the score past fifty when good handling by the back division created a try in the corner for Carl Daniels. To their credit a game but outclassed Old Coventrians side had the final say when with the last play of the game Andy Stephenson crossed for a consolation try.

There is a break in league fixtures next week and the Bulls travel to Rugby the following week to meet the unbeaten league leaders, Old Laurentians. The Bulls coaches will be looking for the side to cut out the handling errors of the last few weeks and know that they are fully capable of winning this top of the table clash provided they produce their best rugby.