Midlands 1 West

Banbury Bulls are now a daunting 13 points from safety after being pipped 20-17 at home to Worcester Wanderers.

Two tries and a conversion put Worcester 12-0 up after 19 minutes.

But Banbury battled back, with fly half Mike Smith slotting two penalties.

Smith slotted a third penalty after the break and then missed a long-range effort.

Worcester’s kicker and Smith traded penalties to make it 15-12.

Banbury went ahead on 72 minutes when full back Dave Taylor set up a try for hooker Andy Ell after a 40-metre run.

Smith’s conversion hit a post and Worcester bagged a third try to snatch victory with three minutes left, handing Banbury a second straight narrow loss.