Passionate play at a pace

What a great performance, by a depleted squad.
Last time round, a couple of years ago we were soundly beaten by a side full of Richie McCaw's*, so we knew we would be in for a tough match.

As agreed we started the season off with a team populated with a number of non-League players and they were superb!

Banbury 22 Newbury 10

Tries Toby, Isaac.

Man of the Match - Kieron for fine loose scrum work.
Special mention for -Toby, as Captain, leading by example and never giving up.

We hit the ground running and scored early on in this thrilling and very full on match, only letting Banbury back into the game at the last moment of the first half.
In the second half we gallantly tried to score again and were just a little off the pace on 2 occasions when we were punished for a missed tackle and a late arrival at a ruck.
That is what separated the 2 sides, so we were nearly there as worthy winners, but the standard and effort was exemplary. A great way to start the season.

The strength in the loose play was intense and the line out well executed. We hooked well, but with a slightly makeshift 2nd row were a little light on holding a powerful Banbury scrum and lost a couple of our own set scrums. Never the less the sight of Harry (Blunderbuss Major), Kieron, Callum and Jo making his debut with 100% effort, in particular, but all the boys powering through at some stage, was a sight to behold.

Ben M - never shirked his role in digging out the ball from the base of the scrum, especially when we our scrum began to be pushed off the ball and he really had to dig deep to get the ball out. Well done to you, You are now fully back to fitness which is great to see. A great few pieces of link play in the backs were tremendous.

Henry - a confusing first half with a couple of missed passes but a great 2nd half linking with Isaac well, once you settled down. Believe in yourself more, you are fine player when you do.

Mikey - grew in confidence once the game moved on and was actually seen to be sweating by the end, so a major effort ! As with Henry, more belief in yourself, you have a good sporting brain.

Isaac - I know you are not used to playing a whole match, but once you switched on your sports man’s head you played as good as we have seen you play. Particularly in the second half culminating in a wonderful piece of inter play and scoring with a powerful run.

Toby - a tremendous Captain's performance with a strong try and some "never say die" chasing back and tackling. An inspirational performance with some well thought out moves in the back line.

Rory - one of the best performances we have seen of you. No dropped balls, most of the time excellent tackling and using your speed well.
As the Scots did though a couple of weeks ago...let's hear your voice more and you will get more ball. Want it, shout for it!

Ben A - you are a full back. Full stop! A couple of useful kicks out of defence into space, which were game savers, but wing didn't work for you. For you a rather quieter game than normal until you were fouled near the end by an overtly keen tackle. A useful game to reconfirm your position really, but let's hear you shouting for the ball more.

Harry - gone is the title "Blunderbuss Lite", you are a major player playing a major role now. An excellent and powerful performance and one where you looked like a huge bear swiping the pesky wolves away when they had the cheek to try and tackle you! We heard your passion when shouting for your team mates to try harder, well done, tremendous example.

Fraser - your line out throws get better and better and now we have some more structure to them they are often even more successful. Good to see you totally knackered at the end and saying that you can get better. Keep it up.

Kieron - a Man of the Match performance, where you listened to the close words of instruction we gave you and performed at your best. You never gave up, you lead the scrum with Harry, Callum and Jo very well and were an inspiration to all. Excellent.

Callum - a great days work never giving up and sweat pouring off you at the end of the match. You close tackling was a sight for sore eyes, a great asset to the team. Well done.

Oliver D - you are finally blossoming into the player we all thought you could be and working a 100% for the whole match. Make sure you support your team mates when the "war cries" come...

Oliver B - what a great effort! Apart from a couple of off sides from being too eager, you had a great match and work hard and tirelessly in the loose scrum especially. Talk a little more and you will get even better.

Jo - tremendous! A superb debut for Newbury, putting in 100% for the whole game and even playing on after a knock to the hand. Powerful runs at the opposition to great effect, but would like to see a little more variation to your moves as you have a great rugby brain.

Nathan - has he found his position?! A powerful display at flanker, with the occasional static tackle failing in very close quarters, but a great effort. Another quiet player but with fine skill, which when you get to know the other scrum players better you should be able to flourish.

Fergus and Bert played passionately for a few minutes only after intense games in the week.

Fin - thank you for supporting your team mates as a non-player, and as above.

What can we learn from this?

1. We are a very decent side - Banbury have a very strong reputation and we nearly had them.

2. We have a very strong squad.

3. Game management on the pitch is starting to flourish for most, although a couple of players are still a little way off.

4. Keep doing the basics well and add a flair or 2 and you will be even more successful.

5. The season bodes well.

Well done to all and our great support to such a distant venue.

David

* 133 caps and a great player. Always just on the line of the law...sometimes over it!