Bodicote Park - Saturday 22nd November 2014

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore, action photos by Simon Grieve.

A scintillating first performance saw the Bulls in total command and the try bonus point was secured within the opening half hour.

From the kick-off it did not take long for the Bulls to open their account when the Old Leamingtonians, trying to run the ball out of defence, mishandled and the alert James Heywood snapped up the loose ball to put Eddie Phillips in for the try which the skipper converted.

The lead was immediately increased when from a scrum on halfway number 8 Simon Brand broke to feed Phillips who in turn found the supporting Dan Tooth who crossed in the corner. A brief period of pressure from the Old Leamingtonians allowed Ciaran O'Connor to kick a penalty to reduce the deficit, but with the Bulls pack winning plenty of possession the dangerous backs were given plenty of opportunities.

With flyhalf, Lionel Byrne orchestrating the play cleverly, excellent handling in the wet conditions cut the visitors defence to ribbons with tries coming at regular intervals from Jimmy Manley, Byrne, with his first for the Club, Alex Gandy showing a great turn of pace and Seamus O'Dwyer. With Phillips adding a conversion the Bulls were well in control at the break with a 34-3 lead.

Whilst the second half failed to live up to the high standards of the first with handling errors creeping in, the Bulls remained firmly in control and whilst the Old Leamingtonians dominated territory at the beginning of the half the Bulls defence was very solid and their line seldom threatened.

Finally the Bulls managed to get their attacking game back on track and first Josh Deegan crossed soon followed by a second for Dan Tooth, a reward for an outstanding performance with his powerful running a constant threat. With Phillips adding a conversion the Bulls had their eye on the half century but to their credit the Old Leamingtonians refused to throw in the towel and denied Banbury any further scores.

Whilst it was the backs that scored the majority of the points it was the solid platform laid by the forwards that allowed them to do so, with Mickey Fox in the front row being a particular force in both tight and loose, and Simon Brand, Nick Pratt and Rory Dymond carrying powerfully.

There is a break from league action next week and the Bulls will be looking to maintain their momemtum when they travel to Old Yardleians in a fortnight's time.