Banbury Bulls opened their Midlands 2 East account with a 29-21 victory at fellow strugglers Melton Mowbray.

Bulls were without four of last week's pack, but made a good start with fly half Grant Holmes setting up flanker Sean Bannister for their opening try, which Chris Manderson converted.

Centre Manderson broke through a gap to make it 12-0 inside 15 minutes.

Melton kept it tight, but hit back with two penalties.

Stephen Kay created a third Banbury try just before the break.

Bulls gifted Melton 12 points with two tries and a conversion, while the hosts also kicked another penalty, but fortunately Banbury bagged their own brace in between.

Both came in similar style, the forwards using their bulk to work two catch-and-drive line-out moves from 20 metres out, which the home side failed to contain.

From the first Nick Clarke broke away to go over in the tackle while the second saw Bannister burst through the defence. Manderson converted to make it 29-14.

Player-coach Holmes said: "To get our first win in the league is great, especially as it has come playing away from home, something we have struggled with in the past few seasons."