HEAD coach James Kerr praised his Banbury side after watching them stay on course for a league and cup double, writes JACK JOHNSON.

The Midlands 2 West (South) leaders reached the Oxfordshire Cup final with a 24-11 win over Oxford Harlequins.

Bulls may be a step below Quins in the rugby pyramid, but they were, for the majority of the tie, able to quell the visitors’ often influential pack.

Kerr said: “It was an outstanding performance against a good side.

“We knew they would be strong in the scrum, it was a hard shift but I think we matched them.

“It allowed us to have that front foot and we know our backs can take their opportunities.

“They threatened towards the end and it took every ounce of the boys’ passion for each other to achieve the victory.

“I am so proud of the boys.”

With Banbury nine points clear in the league and now 90 minutes from the prospect of lifting the Oxfordshire Cup when they take on Henley Bulls on March 23, Kerr is calling on his players to keep their heads.

He added: “It will take every ounce of composure and for us to not let complacency sink in whatsoever.”

BANBURY deservedly sealed their place in the Oxfordshire Cup final with a 24-11 victory over Oxford Harlequins at Bodicote Park, writes JACK JOHNSON.

Tries from Josh Deegan, Jacob Mills and Jimmy Manley, as well as nine points from the boot of Ed Phillips, saw the Midlands 2 West (South) leaders fend off their higher league opponents.

Banbury face Henley Bulls in the final at Iffley Road on Wednesday, March 23.

The hosts, who play a tier below South West 1 East outfit Quins, enjoyed the early territory, but full back Sam Watkinson’s seventh-minute penalty gave the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Banbury looked to respond and flanker Sean Bannister was held up just short, but their breakthrough arrived on 15 minutes.

Centre Matt Goode showed good hands to feed winger Deegan, who danced through to go over.

Scrum half Phillips converted to make it 7-3.

Banbury were on the front foot and Quins could not get out of their half.

On 22 minutes space opened up out wide for Bulls and flanker Mills raced over, with Phillips adding the extras to make it 14-3.

Quins were struggling to get going, but a penalty in their favour on half-way offered a reprieve and allowed Watkinson to kick for the corner.

After another penalty was given against Banbury, Quins opted to kick for the posts, with Watkinson taking the score to 14-6 at the break.

The hosts started the half at a lightning pace and Quins winger Jack Robinson was penalised for holding onto the ball after chasing down a long kick under pressure from Banbury fly half Sam Stoop.

A scrum on five metres ensued and the ball was spun out to centre Manley who went over the try line.

Phillips added the extras to make it 21-6.

The hosts did not allow the Quins forwards to impose themselves and while the visitors began to enjoy territory they were unable to make serious ground.

But on 70 minutes they did break the Banbury line only for full back Joe Mills to make a brilliant tackle to deny flanker Richard Battson.

They were rewarded for their efforts moments later when flanker Gus Milton forced his way over.

Watkinson was unable to convert from out wide.

With time running out Quins needed to score again quickly, but Banbury dealt the killer blow when Phillips landed a 40-metre penalty to make it 24-11.

The visitors refused to give in, but prop Pete Boulton was stopped just short and replacement Alex Kelly was denied a try after a knock-on.

Bannister was sin-binned in the last minute for Banbury, but it did not matter as the hosts held out for the final few seconds.