Midlands 1 West

Banbury Bulls were quick to draw positives from their 39-8 defeat at third-placed Bournville.

But Bulls, who gave a debut to flanker Will Oldham, could not convert their good pressure into points.

They fell behind to a first-minute penalty from fly half Alex Warner, who then converted a try from lock Simon Homer.

Banbury started to make inroads with their recycling and fly half Mike Smith slotted a penalty.

Bulls’ worst period of the match saw them trail 25-3 at the break thanks to tries from full back Rob Brow and scrum half Alex Ward, Warner converting the former and adding a penalty.

Banbury raised their game in the second half, with captain Eddie Phillips off-loading for No 8 Simon Brand to crash through for a super try.

Phillips was agonisingly close to a second try as he stretched for the line.

Banbury they should have been awarded a penalty before flanker Rob Griffin drove over for Bournville’s fourth try.

Warner converted this and a second from Ward, who ran from his own half, to complete the scoring.