Goode back his players despite second setback

Head coach Matt Goode was full of praise for his side despite Newbury Blues inflicting a comprehensive home defeat on Banbury Bulls.
Banbury Bulls' Jack Briggs evades Newbury Blues' Harvey North at the DCS StadiumBanbury Bulls' Jack Briggs evades Newbury Blues' Harvey North at the DCS Stadium
Banbury Bulls' Jack Briggs evades Newbury Blues' Harvey North at the DCS Stadium

Bulls suffered rare back-to-back Wadworth6X South West One East defeats as Newbury ran out 40-17 winners at the DCS Stadium.

Newbury look firm favourites to go straight back up and, on this showing, look the team to catch at this stage.

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Despite Bulls taking an early lead, the visitors got on top and, once they got their noses in front, there was no way back for Matt Goode’s side which was missing several key players through injury. Added to that list now is Dan Kirwin who suffered a nasty wrist injury in the closing stages and he looks set to be on the sidelines for some time.

Goode said: “They were a very good side technically and with good players all over the pitch. We knew it was going to be tough, especially with six changes of which four were enforced.

“In the opening ten minutes we were very intense, we wanted to start well and we did. But then they began to get a lot of the ball.

“We competed well for 60 minutes but got a little bit disjointed at times, were a bit flat at times in possession, putting the pass behind players and that makes a big difference in these tough games. In the last ten minutes of the game we tired and they were clinical.”