After a 6 week enforced lay off due to fixture cancellations you might have expected Banbury’s U16s to be a little bit rusty but slick passing and great support play oiled the wheels and resulted in a highly impressive away win in our third OBB League game of the season.

We have become used to seeing a fast start from these players and this morning was no different. After a warm and friendly welcome from Maidenhead parents and supporters, we kicked off into the low winter sunshine and it wasn’t long (4 minutes to be precise) before Jacob H crossed the line for the first of his 4 (yes 4!) tries. Tomas H slotted the extra 2. Six minutes later and Banbury scored a second, again through Jacob H with the extras from Hitch.

Maidenhead were unable to get a foothold in the game in the face of Banbury’s quick breakdown and offloading game with Cameron F and Bernardo F winning multiple turnovers whenever the opposition got their hands on the ball. Before the half hour mark, Banbury crossed the line twice more to make the score 26-0. The fourth try was the pick of the bunch with the ball starting deep in Banbury’s half and flowing through multiple pairs of hands all the way to Maidenhead’s whitewash.

The scoreline galvanized the home team to action just before half time and Maidenhead began to get some ascendancy in the pack. Banbury’s decision making at a breakdown finally went awry. A good counter ruck by the Maidenhead forwards and a well-weighted kick into space behind enabled the opposition number 10 to touch down in Banbury’s goal area.

The home side started the second half in much the same vein and a second converted try soon after the break made the score 26-14 and sowed a smidgeon of doubt in the minds of Banbury’s coaches and supporters.

There were no such doubts on the pitch however. Banbury’s U16s are increasingly resilient and calm. The forwards regained their focus and dominance with a few scrums won against the head, good disruption of Maidenhead’s lineout and crucial turnovers turning defence into attack. Banbury quickly responded to Maidenhead’s second try with a fifth score of their own before running in two further tries towards the end of the match as the home team tired.

A great performance from the current County Champions who looked worthy of their title. Happy Christmas!