Fenley Field, Bilton - Saturday 15th November 2014

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore.

Ultimately it was the more powerful home pack, allied to the cultured boot of their fly half who time and time again pinned Banbury deep in their own 22 with his long and accurate kicking, that carried the day.

The game started badly for the Bulls when their failure to control the kick-off allowed the Old Laurentians to exert pressure which yielded a penalty to give the home side the lead. Playing the game largely on the back foot the Bulls were unable to release their dangerous back division and eventually the constant pressure inside the Bulls 22 told as the home team finally found a chink in the Bull's defence to score the opening try.

With the game nearing the break Banbury finally managed to apply some pressure of their own and good ball retention and accurate passing gave Jimmy Manley (pictured), on as a replacement after missing a number of games through injury, an overlap and he showed good strength to hold off the cover defence to score in the corner to leave Banbury trailing by just three points at the break.

The early exchanges at the beginning of the second half saw Banbury winning a greater share of possession and territory and it was Manley again who made a powerful break in midfield which took him close to the line and again showing good strength managed to stay on his feet to allow the fast arriving support to drive him over the line. With Eddie Phillips adding the conversion a precious victory was within the Bulls grasp.

However when a Phillips penalty attempt to extend the lead drifted just wide the Old Laurentians were galvanised into action and with the line-out misfiring the Bulls were again pinned back deep in their own half. Again resolute defence kept the Old Laurentians at bay but finally from a line out close to the Banbury line the home side set up a driving maul to score the try that with the successful conversion gave them a three point lead.

With the game now in the closing stages the Old Laurentians showed why they are the league leaders by dominating both territory and possession to close the game out and coming close to a further score, but again a brave Banbury defence earned the consolation of a losing bonus point.

The Bulls now drop down to third in the league, but still remain in touch with the leaders and will be looking to get back to winning ways when they entertain Old Leamingtonians next week.