Bodicote Park - Saturday 11th April 2015

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

The Bulls final league game proved to be a microcosm of the season as a whole, beginning with a bang and ending in a wimper, and like the curates egg plenty of good and bad in parts inbetween.

Banbury could not have got off to a better start as receiving the kickoff ground was made before Jed Boyle was released to scoot in from 40 metres, Phillips adding the conversion. Despite this early set back Spartans were in no mood to fold with their forwards gaining the upper hand, especially in the set pieces.

They opened their scoring when they seized a loose ball in mid field and with the Banbury defence no where to be seen winger Andy Hyslop was given a clear run to the corner. With the capricious breeze causing problems for both sides it was Josh Deegan (pictured) who snatched a speculative kick ahead from under the noses of the Spartans defence to run in the Bulls second try. As was to prove vital Eddy Phillips conversion attempt from under the posts was charged down.

Spartans, demonstrating their forward superiority replied with a push over try, but the Bulls had the final say of the half when a Spartans clearing kick was fielded near halfway and good handling gave Carl Daniels some space which he exploited well to score, Phillips conversion giving the Bulls a 19 - 10 lead at the break.

Early in the second half it looked as though the Bulls had wrapped the game up when showing their good side with some slick passing allowed Josh Deegan to score his second. It was from this point that the game went down hill with both sides incurring the wrath of the referee and making numerous errors all flow to the game was lost.

This allowed Spartans to dominate both territory and possession and although the Bulls defence remained firm opportunities to clear their lines were thwarted due to poor passing and ball retention. With the game entering its final phases a Spartans kick ahead eluded the Bulls defence yielding a converted try. Worst was to follow when under no immediate pressure a series of missed tackles resulted a try under the post giving Spartans a well deserved draw.