Accepting the disappointment and moving on from the recent result in the Cup, the U16s were keen to prove their mettle against an unknown opposition - Banbury RFC.

Ross Tobin kicked off into the wind on a sunny but cold and blustery afternoon. A&C stamped their intent early on to move the ball around but were a little too frenetic. Once they began to organise their attacks they looked the real deal and the third phase ball ended up in the hands of Marco F who tidily dotted down on the left-hand side. Confidently converted by Ross T (7-0)

A&C found started off strongly again but suffered from knock-ons in the mid-field and had to deal with strong counter rucking from Banbury. It was difficult to keep possession, however, a clean No8 pick up from Willam C and a rampaging run from the opposition 10yd line on the left led to another try (12-0).

A&C's pack then began to show their dominance and the backs began to see more quality ball. With Jack H and Will Y controlling things from the fly half position, William E took a great line cutting in and straightennig up and then fed the ever-supporting Ross T to touch down behind the sticks after a slick attack. Straightforward conversion (19-0).

When Banbury did win ball and get the ball out to their wings, it was not clean ball, and Harry G and Barney S did well to marshal the would-be attackers and stifled the threats. Banbury did not capitalise on the strong wind behind them to pin A&C back - the disadvantage of playing away perhaps? The visitors had also begun to suffer a few injuries which began to drain their spirit.

The A&C backs by now realised that giving the ball some width was fruitful and this time the inside backs span the ball quickly out wide to the ever-dangerous Barney S who put on the afterburners to sprint through the last defenders and dot down on the right. Missed conversion but a pretty comprehensive 24-0 score line.

The visitors ended the half strongly and got down in our bottom right corner only to be repelled after a small knock on and A&C cleared. The first half ended quite messily with lots of players out of position and not much cohesion for either side.

The second half started brightly with A&C taking advantage of the downhill to the opposition try line and a strong wind behind them. Jack H's kicks continually causing panic in the Defence.

Another attacking line out was won cleanly on the opposition 10yd and a pick and go from William C caught the defence off guard. He broke through initial defence offloaded to Marco F, who fed it out to the backs for Jack H to finish and dot down on the right. A good team try was converted by the metronomic Ross to take the score to 31-0.

A&C were clearly in control and the backs began to experiment with a quick attack down left and from the breakdown spread it right for William E to accelerate through the remaining defence to score again under the posts 38-0

There followed a scrappy bit of play when neither team could take initiative. Banbury finally got a grip and began a concerted attack on our 22. A&C defence was dogged but also a little dangerous and conceded several penalties. Living dangerously. However, the home team held firm and finally got relief from a Banbury knock on.

This was the fillip that A&C needed. They started to head back downfield and from a scrappy ruck, the captain once again emerged with the ball and set off at a gallop for the line. There was no stopping him and he touched down on the left of the posts for a converted try (45-0).
Though the opposition had shown great spirit, particularly from the forwards, they knew they were well and truly beaten. An impressive all round performance from the A&C squad. Apart from the try scorers, notable work from the back row at the breadown and strong front five play (including the replacements in those positions) was a sign that this group can play good quality team rugby.

Final score 45-0

Well done to the lads