The Bulls kickstarted the 2024/25 season against Derby RFC on the opening day with a comprehensive win, the challenge of a National 2 club next up was going to test the 1st XV early on. With a short warm-up at Heathbrook due to several incidents on the motorway. The Bulls went to work against one of the early promotion favourites.

The match started with a bang with an Owen Wildgoose try fresh from a four-try haul against Derby just a week before. The inspired winger crashed over in the corner after a fantastic field play from the backs. The conversion was unsuccessful [0-5]. Moments later the hosts also made their mark on the match via the wing. With great play out wide, the Dudley winger also went over in the corner to draw the hosts level. The conversion was successful [5-5]. The match rightly settled and was well contested as the game entered the second quarter of the match. It was the Bulls who struck next with an incredible piece of play from Kelvyn Togia. The Bulls Hooker with two tries in two games, rips the ball from a Dudley rolling maul in their twenty-two and goes on to score. The conversion was successful [5-12]. Dudley were resilient again in their response by scoring quickly. A well-worked try from the forwards achieved a well-timed drive which resulted in points from close range. The conversion was successful [12-12]. Dudley were fighting back well in the final ten minutes of the half, but it was the Bulls to record the final points of the half by way of a penalty try. The Bulls from the rolling maul were gaining momentum but before the try line, the maul collapsed illegally, leading to the penalty try and a yellow card for Dudley [12-19]. In a scrappy half, the Bulls had the lead at the break. Both teams with more to give, it was all to take in the second half with margins close.

Half Time - Dudley Kingswinford 12-19 Banbury

The Bulls continued as they left off heading into the early stages of the second half. However, in a move that looked like crossing, Dudley played to the whistle to secure their first try of the half and draw level. The conversion was successful [19-19]. Just like Dudley in the first period, Bull struck back quickly through Matt Dandy. In an incredible moment of brilliance. Dandy, seeing a gap, took his opportunity to pin his ears back and charge forward to cross for a Bulls try. The conversion was unsuccessful [19-24]. Heading into the final quarter Dudley came to life and finished strongly. First, they demonstrated their scrum strength which saw them control a drive to go over from close range. The conversion was successful [26-24]. Then unfortunately the Bulls were down to fourteen through a yellow card to James Leonardi. The referee, not pleased with the number of scrum penalties, went to his pocket. The final act was from Dudley, with the Bulls being penalised for coming across in the lineout they took their chance to extend their lead from the tea, The penalty was converted [29-24].
In a tough loss for the Bulls, they just couldn't find the rhythm resembling last week’s efforts against Derby. Dudley fought back for a deserved victory, leaving the Bulls with some valuable lessons to take into next week. Two points on the road against strong opposition is nothing to complain about, but on another day it could have been all five. The Bulls return to the Graf UK Stadium next weekend where we take on Bridgnorth.

Full Time - Dudley Kingswinford 29-24 Banbury

Dudley Kingswinford
Starting XV
15 Samuel Vaughan; 14 Morgan Woodward; 13 Ryan Smitheman; 12 Stefan Shillingford; 11 Leo Davies; 10 Rhys Harper; 9 Harry Edwards;
1 Kieron Williams; 2 Jonathan McCormack; 3 Benjamin Rowley; 4 Dan Marsh; 5 William Elsmore; 6 James Ryan; 7 William Hancox; 8 Jess Smith;

Replacements
16 Jake Thompson; 17 Scott Lovell; 18 Joseph Dunn

Banbury
Starting XV
15 Quinten Blythe; 14 Freddy Bunce; 13 Daniel Hale; 12 Oscar Triggs; 11 Owen Wildgoose;
10 Gus Stapleton; 9 Dan Kirwin;
1. James Leonardi (VC); 2. Kelvyn Togia; 3. Quade Leo; 4. Jacob Turner ©; 5. Will Thurlow; 6. Jacob Drabble; 7. Matt Dandy; 8. Ed Berridge;

Replacements
16 Ethan Gudge; 17 Sean Baker; 18 Loic Radegonde;