Sat 9 Oct 2021, 15:00
The Witney IIs travelled to Banbury IIs last weekend on a sunny autumn afternoon in stark contrast to the previous games weather. An excited IIs coach before the game commented on his faith on the electric backs line up being able to do some significant damage in today’s game.
However, despite the confidence prior to the game, Banbury drew first blood with a crash ball breaking through the back line on the Witney defence. Although much of the first 20 mins possession was with Witney, they were unable to convert those opportunities. Early into the second 20 mins saw Banbury score again in another break away try. Witney did manage to hold their nerve however and claw a try back from the home team with a well worked backs move leading to outside centre Turbo scoring under the posts which was easily converted by the full back Aaron.
Early second half possession was again dominated by witney but yet again they where unable to convert and gave up a third lucky breakaway try to the Home team. Despite loosing a front row to a yellow card for a high tackle witney managed to rally the defence and hold Banbury from breaking through the lines for all of the remaining second half showing a dominating defensive line speed which the Banbury had no answer for. With Banbury now on the back foot and looking fatigued and disheartened on not being able to capitalise on the sin bin, Witney struck again. A fantastic dummy from a ruck saw the scrum half (Bolton) sneak in for a try under the post, which again was quickly converted by the full back. With Banbury still having no answer for the witney defence, the Visitors struck again through a huge effort from the Witney forwards to push over front row Webb for a try in the corner. Knowing that this would bring the game level and with the eyes of the whole team upon him Aaron managed overcome the pressure of the moment to convert the try to bring the score to 21- 21. With very little time remaining Witney steeled themselves to go for the win but unfortunately to no avail, leaving Banbury with a hard-fought draw.
This game still leaves the Witney IIs in high spirits keeping their undefeated record alive and a happy Simon Copperwheat. The Coach gave Man of the match to Fudgy for his superb effort in the forwards.
