So the run in towards the end of season starts ... three tournaments in three weeks. Week One saw the squad travel to Oxford RFC in the Oxfordshire County Festival. With some of the squad arriving before the gates opened, warm up went well ahead of first kick off at 10.30. The boys were briefed on two expectations; work hard for each other and do what we have practised.

In a pool of five teams, Abingdon were the first opponents. With downhill advantage in the first half, Banbury benefitted from long periods of attacking possession and the majority of territory. With a mixture of direct and elusive running, Banbury capitalised scoring a number of tries in both halves to end the game 6 tries to nil victors.

Next came Oxford Harlequins, whose more structured play (through a set playmaker) and competitively aggressive gameplay brought the Banbury team back to the real world after the first match. With a tight first half broken open just before half time with a try a piece, Banbury's effort being along range sprint from inside our 22 by Ethan outflanking the entire Quins squad to touch down in the corner. With the final whistle approaching, Banbury pressed the Quins line for several phases before Will powered over to seal the victory as the whistle was blown.

Game 3 saw the hosts take to the field - so home ground advantage to Oxford. Banbury took an early lead and kept Oxford penned in their own half, until a long clearance kick relieved the pressure. Alex covered back well and dotted the ball for a drop-out 22 (well, 15m at U12s) audible gasps rang round the field as the referee awarded a try to the home team. Banbury heads didn't drop - galvanised they set to the second half, finishing the game convincing winners at 4-1.

Final pool game was Didcot (due to numbers, it was a Barbarians team also encompassing Littlemore and Gosford). Given their lack of playing time together, the BaaBaa's did well and with a mixture of size/power and pace, they provided good competition. With the team having discussed the oppositions style of play, they worked hard to nullify the attacking threats. The eventual 4-0 winning score line reflecting the strong defensive effort.

So the pool finished and saw Banbury unbeaten and drawn to play Henley in the County Cup Final. A 4-0 loss belies the competitiveness of the game, with Banbury being caught out wide from ruck turnovers.