Midlands 1 West

Simon Brand’s late try saw Banbury Bulls clinch a determined 37-32 victory over Nuneaton Old Edwardians at Bodicote Park.

Banbury’s stand-in captain dived over in the game’s final move for fly half Mike Smith to convert and earn them a second win of the season.

Nuneaton had the wind behind them in the first half and moved 12-0 ahead, with tries from wings Carl Hutchings and Sven Brown, scrum half Tom Short converting the latter.

Smith replied with a penalty, then converted a try from centre Peter Papenfus, who raced through after Brand’s off-load.

Nuneaton led 22-10 at the break after Phil Dickson touched down and Short added a conversion and a penalty.

The second half ebbed and flowed, with full back Peter Flemming’s try, converted by Smith, reducing the arrears.

Tries from centres Ricky Hyslop and Jody Peacock, either side of a Smith penalty brace, put Nuneaton 32-23 ahead.

But Bulls drove prop Andy Gilbert over for Smith to convert with six muinutes left.

Then came Brand’s late salvo after wing Dave Taylor had scooped up a loose ball.