Banbury Bulls set up ‘Super Saturday’ as they fight for survival on the final day

A last-minute try secured Banbury a crucial point in a 43-26 defeat at second-placed Havant last Saturday to give them a shot at staying up.

To secure their survival, Banbury will need to beat Bournemouth at home (2.30pm).

Royal Wootton Bassett and Brighton both sit on 38 points, Banbury are on 34.

If Banbury win and score four tries, then they will be safe regardless of other results in the league.

If Banbury win but don’t score four tries it might be enough. Banbury would go above Brighton if Brighton get no points from their game against Camberley.

A draw or a loss for Banbury wouldn’t be enough and would see them go down.

The club are hoping for a big crowd on a crucial day, which came about after a battling display in defeat last weekend.

They got off to the perfect start when Jack Briggs chipped the ball over the defence and collected his own kick to touch down before Ed Phillips converted.

Havant responded and moved into a 28-7 lead before good pressure led to Bulls kicking to the corner and Jacob Turner finished off the drive for another converted score.

They reduced the deficit even further early in the second half when James Hibbert burst off the back of a rolling maul to score as they made it 28-21.

Havant had a player red-carded for an off-the-incident but Bulls were also down to 14 when Joe Mills went off injured and there were no healthy players left to come on.

Havant scored two more tries to make it 38-21 and Bulls were then down to 13 men when Dan Brady was also forced off with injury.

Havant scored again to make it 43-21 but Bulls dug in and won a number of penalties to allow them to work their way up the field.

With the clock in the red, Oscar Triggs kicked in to the corner to give Banbury a lineout and the Banbury forwards got what proved the crucial score thanks to Nick Agbo.