Banbury Bulls got the bonus-point victory they wanted to open their account with a 38-22 win at home to Leamington in in Midlands 1 West, but this was not a great display.

At times the hosts were fluent in this basement battle, with two-try captain Eddie Phillips leading the way from scrum half.

But Banbury will not able to make as many basic errors and beat other sides in their division.

Bulls, for whom flanker Ian Keevil impressed on his debut, started with real panache to race into a 20-0 lead, but they always looked vulnerable.

Fly half Mike Smith put Banbury ahead with a penalty, while their other debutant, wing Chris Davies, was forced out after a good run.

Their first try, on 12 minutes, was a fine effort as Phillips broke from a scrum and found centre Darren De Bruyn, who off-loaded for No 8 Simon Brand to touch down.

De Bruyn added the conversion before the game was held up for referee Robin Heath to receive treatment on a leg injury.

Soon after the resumption, Brand blasted away from a scrum in his own half and fed Phillips, who ran in unchallenged from half way, much to his own surprise.

Leamington briefly threatened when centre Nathan Earland’s penalty was caught in the wind, but his side soon conceded a third try.

Another strong backs move ended with centre James Heywood stretching over the line.

If Banbury had scored some soft tries, Leamington’s opener was a defensive nightmare as wing Simon Magill broke three weak tackles to score on the right.

Smith soon replied with a penalty, while Phillips and Keevil went close before the break.

Bulls must have thought it was all over when Phillip dummied through for his second try, converted by Smith, to make it 30-5 on 42 minutes.

However, Banbury got even slacker as Leamington showed good spirit with two tries in three minutes.

First some good hands put Magill over on the right, then centre Alex Carroll slipped through some powder-puff tackling.

Banbury lock Matthew Brock was denied a try due to a forward pass, but his side kept clocking up the errors A Smith penalty made it 33-15 and another Keevil break set up a good chance on the left.

Leamington replacement John Holland cantered in for a breakaway try on 63 minutes for their bonus point, Earland converting.

And it needed a useful tackle from Keevil to stop Magill from completing his hat-trick.

Banbury could finally relax three minutes from time when great work from Brock and fellow lock Anthony McClellan led to De Bruyn being put through a gap for try No 5.

But they must tighten up if they are to have a chance of avoid relegation.

Banbury: Flemming, Daniels (Taylor 59), Heywood, De Bruyn, Davies, Smith, E Phillips (capt), Teare, Stratford, Gilbert, McClellan, Brock, Keevil, Best, Brand. Reps not used: Wilkins, Holmes.

Referee: R Heath (Oxfordshire).

Man-of-the-match: E Phillips.