Phoenix 19 Pts v Hungerford 48 Pts

It must be said that Phoenix lacked many regular threequarters out due to injury, and it was little surprise therefore that Hungerford managed to break clean through on several occasions. Things got off to a bad start for the Taplow side when they failed to gather the Hungerford kick-off and began the match deep in defense. Phoenix managed to keep a clean sheet for the first quarter of the match before Hungerford burst through, curving behind the Phoenix defence to score beneath the posts. The conversion added the extras for the visitors before they scored their second try through the middle of the field. This time the conversion went wide in the blustery wind. Phoenix began to limit themselves to a forward game and drove the Hungerford pack back on several occasions. Kieran Roche left the field with an injury and was replaced by Jamie Willis, which required a rejigging of the team, with openside flanker James Taylor inserted into the centres. After a short period spent on the Hungerford line, Phoenix’s Paul Byrne was held up over the line but from the ensuing scrummage, captain Dave Harris drove over beneath the posts. Byrne added the conversion to reduce the Phoenix deficit to just 5 points on the half hour. But Hungerford broke through again to extend their lead before Phoenix full back Bradley Coomber sliced through the Hungerford line to score a second try for Phoenix. As the half came to a close, Phoenix continued to pile pressure on Hungerford deep inside their 22. In the loose Luke Maundrill and Neil Wincomb drove well for the home side and Dave Harris kept up the pressure on his opposite number. Phoenix held the advantage in the set scrums and once the ball was taken forward in the pack they were playing to their strengths.

Phoenix needed to stike early in the second half but unfortunately it was Hungerford who stretched their lead after 10 minutes, as they sliced through to score under the posts. The veteran Duncan Wardle came on for Edd Dibb at half time, necessitating another reshuffle in the Phoenix pack. Another try to Hungerford shortly afterwards was decisive as far as the result of the match went. But the Phoenix pack roared again forcing Hungerford back onto their own line and gaining a well deserved penalty try as Hungerford failed to legally deal with the Phoenix front five. The objective left for Phoenix was to score a fourth try and gain a bonus point but as they began to try almost anything with their endeavour, so Hungerford struck and finished their tally with a somewhat flattering 48 points.

Next week Phoenix travel to Stow-on-the-Wold whilst Phoenix 2nd XV travel to Slough.

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill, J Dixon, N Wincomb, L Maundrill, D Symonds, J Taylor, T Morgan; D Harris (Capt), P Byrne, A McMillan, K Roche, J Richardson, J Townsend, B Coomber

Subs: J Willis, D Wardle