Bodicote Park - Saturday 20th December 2014

Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore, action photos & video clip by Simon Grieve

Whilst the Bulls will be satisfied to garner a full haul of points this was a far from flawless performance as a lack of composure led to several chances being butchered when a try seemed a certainty.

With skipper, Eddie Phillips, again leading the way with a personal haul of 24 points from a try, five conversions and three penalties, this was also a good all round performance with the forwards winning the lion's share of the ball for the hard running back division.

The Bulls soon had points on the board with a Phillips penalty and whilst the Droitwich defence was opened up on numerous occasions a misplaced pass or handling error kept their line intact, and it was left to the Phillips boot to extend the lead with a second penalty.

The Bulls cause was not helped by an injury to centre, Jimmy Manley, who required lengthy on-field treatment before being stretchered off to be replaced by Joe Mills. Despite this loss the Bulls continued to press and with the game approaching half time first Lionel Byrne found a gap in the defence for the game's opening try and this was soon followed by a second as James Heywood picking a good line as Byrne opened up the defence to feed Dan Tooth, available after avoiding a suspension in his disciplinary hearing, to score. With Phillips converting both tries the Bulls held a 20-0 lead at the break.

Banbury continued to dominate proceedings in the second period with Phillips increasing the lead with a penalty and this was followed by a try from Joe Mills who took a clever off-load from Josh Deegan. Phillips adding an excellent conversion from wide out.

The bonus was secured with Phillips finishing off a multi-phased move for a try he converted himself. Holding a commanding lead the Bulls appeared to take the foot of the pedal allowing Droitwich to enjoy their best spell of the game, putting the Banbury defence under considerable pressure.

The defence however proved equal to the challenge and when a Droitwich backs movement went astray Tooth hacked on the loose ball regathering on halfway and outpacing the covering defence to the line. Droitwich did have the final say with a consolation try from Will Baillon with the last play of the game, leaving Banbury the victors 44 - 5.

This was another good win for the Bulls, who are showing a greater strength in depth this season, and James Burge, playing in place of the unavailable Nick Pratt, enjoyed a particularly good game making a number of powerful runs. Sam Ridgway (pictured), in the starting line-up for the first time also impressed in the back row, particularly when moving to No 8 in the second half when Simon Brand was forced off with an injury.