BANBURY increased their lead to three points in Midlands 2 West (South) as they put seven tries past Barkers Butts in a 43-12 victory.

Despite Ken Key’s early try, Bulls were 7-5 behind after a converted score for the hosts.

But Banbury responded and led 24-7 at half-time, thanks to a hat-trick of tries.

From a scrum, the Bulls worked a training ground move which saw Jimmy Manley glide through a hole and put top try scorer Joe Mills in for an easy score. Ed Phillips finally found the target to put the Bulls 12-7 ahead.

Simon Brand finished off a rolling maul by touching down, before Carl Daniels claimed the bonus-point try.

It came from a trademark flowing move where man-of-the-match Mills beat two men and committed another pair before slipping Daniels in to score unopposed.

Phillips converted two of the scores.

Both teams were down to 14 men at the start of the second half as Bulls’ Manu Paniagua saw yellow.

Phillips converted his own try, before Manley crossed, the former missing with the boot, for a 36-7 lead.

The hosts replied with a score of their own, but Bulls had the last say with Phillips again converting his own try.