Both teams were depleted by the county training fixture and injuries but were able to field around 18 players each.

This gave both teams the opportunity for most players to get in pretty much full games which will reap benefits going forwards.

The first half was one of Banbury domination. Nothing Wallingford did went right and a variety of our players got on the scoresheet as a result.

We were aided by “easy” restarts allowing our forwards to return the ball or the ball not going 10m. This put the pressure immediately onto our opponents and Banbury are just too good not to capitalise on those sorts of gifts.

The story of the first half was thus mostly in Wallingford territory and we ran in 36 unanswered points before the break.

Their team talk must have been good because a different Wallingford came out and they were much more insisive. Banbury found themselves under far more pressure but we know how to defend.

Wallingford battered our goalline and despite their best efforts couldn’t get through. Banbury got another try but Wallingford just came again. Numerous penalties later and they finally got a well deserved try and the match was the better for it.

Banbury however immediately went to the other end and scored cancelling out the points clawed back. Two more scores from us capped off a good day in the office and an enjoyable contest.

One of the benefits of the county lads being away was the opportunity for others to show their skills. We had numerous “guest” kickers and some of them were pretty good. It’s fair to say though that our forwards wont be on kicking duty.

My own lad, playing prop today, took the last kick to the amusement of both teams because his boot went further (and more accurately) than the ball. Everyone laughed and it was a fitting end to a well fought and friendly contest.