Rance full of praise for 'exceptional' Stratford

DEPARTING director of rugby Tom Rance was a happy man despite his team’s 41-29 defeat to Banbury at Pearcecroft on Saturday.

Rance felt Stratford turned in one of their best South West 1 East performances of the season as they ran in five tries against the play-off chasing Bulls.

The Black and Whites scored five tries in an entertaining encounter, one which Rance felt was one of the team’s performances of the season.

“The score didn’t reflect the game,” said Rance, whose final match in charge is a week on Saturday at home to Chippenham.

“I can honestly say it was an enjoyable game. Banbury brought some exceptional rugby and they also brought some exceptional rugby out of us.

“In terms of teams coming to Pearcecroft this season, they are definitely up there.

“It was one of the best performances of the season and a great spectacle. To score five tries against a team who are comfortably second in the league is pleasing in itself.”

Stratford enjoyed an excellent start and went 10-0 in front through tries from Ben Cole and Dan Whitby.

The Bulls fought back and Tommy Gray crossed twice to put them 12-10 in front, with Ed Phillips converting the second try.

Giles Saar put Banbury further ahead with a great solo effort and Phillips added the extras.

Winger Whitby then crossed for his second as the Black and Whites cut Banbury’s lead to just two points at half-time.

Bulls dominated the start of the second half and they extended their advantage when Dan Brady went over, with Phillips converting to make it 27-17.

James Wootton then crossed to narrow the deficit, before Jack Briggs scored Banbury’s fifth try, with Phillips converting once more.

Stratford hit back and closed the gap to five points with further tries from Charlie Powell and Nath Geekie, Geekie converting them both.

But Banbury had the final say as Joe Mills went over and Phillips kicked the conversion to add a bit of gloss to the scoreline.

It was Stratford’s 13th defeat of an experimental season in South West 1 East and Rance added: “This season is arguably more of a success than other seasons, due to the transitional phase of the club.

“All of the players coming through the mini and juniors section into the first team shows we’ve done something right and gone about things correctly.

“Performances like Saturday’s make everything worthwhile.”

Stratford play their final away game of the season this Saturday at struggling Bicester.