Match Report by KC's press secretary Martin Easton.....

KC’s away day woes continued and they still have yet to pick up a single point on their travels this season.They did,however,start the match well on top and had an early chance from a fifteen metre lineout.The immediate danger was cleared but only at the expense of another KC’s throw and this time a tremendous forwards drive trundled Banbury back fully twenty five metres before the whole pack crashed over the tryline with prop Matt Rigsby the most likely candidate to be credited with the score.Flyhalf Chris Pinner converted well to put KC’s 7-0 ahead and fullback Andy McLellan then used the strong wind to launch a long kick to the corner flag.Banbury secured the five metre lineout but again had to put the ball into touch and KC’s were threatening an action replay of their first try until the hosts brought down the rolling maul.The penalty was kicked to touch and from the throw Layton Wilkinson was held up over the line but from the resultant five metre scrum the No 8 was not to be denied and his try extended KC’s lead to 12-0 with less than fifteen minutes played.
Up to this point the home side had not been in the game but from the restart a KC’s chip over the top fell into Banbury hands and a couple of slick offloads took play deep into Kidder territory to set up a series of rucks.KC’s managed to slow the ball down but when Banbury at last moved the ball wide they created acres of space for their left wing McKenna to run in unopposed.KC’s found themselves under the cosh for the next ten minutes but a wind assisted clearance kick by McLellan eventually relieved the pressure and they finished the first half on the front foot with a penetrating run by right wing Will Varley opening up Banbury until he opted to cut inside and left wing Rich Sollum almost breaking away before being forced into touch by a fine tackle by the hosts hooker.
Although playing into the wind after the break,KC’s again began well.A Banbury throw on Kidder’s 22 was stolen by Jack Tunstall and from a midfield ruck set up by skipper Stu Such a break by Pinner was supported by Tunstall but he was unable to find Varley on the overlap.Banbury then almost broke away down the left touchline but a fine covering tackle by Ben Binnion,who had replaced the injured Mike Protheroe at halftime,snuffed out the danger.The game then became a little ragged with both sides making mistakes and Banbury missed a chance to reduce the deficit when a penalty from the ten metre line was just wide.There then followed a period of tit for tat rugby until a steal and blindside break by scrumhalf Mark James swung the momentum back in KC’s favour.A knock on returned possession to Banbury but their clearance kick was fielded magnificently by McLellan and Pinner’s nifty footwork made further inroads into the hosts 22 where they were penalised at a ruck.The kick at goal was held up in the wind and drifted wide and KC’s failed to deal with the drop out.This proved to be significant as Banbury were able to establish good field position and thereafter KC’s were never in the game as an attacking force.Stout defence kept the hosts at bay for a while but the tide was turning against KC’s and they cracked when Banbury’s captain No 8 Simon Brand scored under the posts.The conversion drew the scores level at 12-12 and five minutes later the home side won a lineout on KC’s 22.After moving the ball right they switched play back and their No 11 just beat the cover defence to score in the corner for his second try A Banbury penalty chance from thirty metres went begging but now 17-12 ahead they continued to dominate and as time ran out KC’s became increasingly desperate and rather than hanging on for the bonus point that was there for the taking they tried to run the ball out of defence in the shadow of their own posts.Caught in possession,they conceded a penalty and with the last play of the match Banbury’s No 10 knocked over the kick to leave KC’s empty handed once again.
KC’s really are playing a lot better than recent results suggest,six consecutive defeats,and their commitment cannot be questioned but their decision making at crucial points in matches is costing them dear and is an issue which needs to be addressed. Next up is another challenging fixture,Berkswell & Balsall at home.