BANBURY Bulls paid the penalty for poor tackling as they were thumped 47-22 at home by Old Patesians in South West 1 East.

The high-flying visitors raced ahead into a 14-0 lead before Banbury replied through a try from Sam Stoop.

Ed Phillips converted and added a penalty to cut the deficit to four points.

However, Patesians scored two more tries to lead 26-10 at the break.

As the visitors forged even further ahead to put the result beyond doubt, Bulls concentrated on trying to secure the bonus point.

They narrowly missed out, scoring three of the necessary four tries.

Their second try was scored by Matt Goode converted by Ed Phillips, who sniped around the edge of the ruck to complete the scoring for tenth-placed Banbury.