Phoenix A vs Uxbridge A

Phoenix RFC continued their preparation for the new season with a convincing victory over Uxbridge last Saturday.
From the outset Phoenix handled the ball well. Tom Porter, Phoenix’ 19 year old prop gathered cleanly and the recycled ball was sent back from the boot of fly-half Kieron Roach into Uxbridge territory on their 10 meter line. The Uxbridge pack were showing more control in this early period but Phoenix were able to hold them and made excellent use of any loose ball. Once Phoenix moved the ball moved out, the excellent partnership of Mcmillan and Hood at centre proved more than a match for their opponents. Lar Turner stretched his legs for the first time this season from within the Phoenix 22, taking the ball to well inside the Uxbridge half but his chip through was just too long. Uxbridge attacked strongly but were held up by some excellent Phoenix defence particularly from the Phoenix back row trio with Harris to the fore until Turner again stretched his legs and took play into the Uxbridge 22. Recycled possession was then swiftly moved through the Phoenix back row and three-quarters and concluded with the first try of the season by wing three-quarter Jordan Prince in the right-hand corner. Nigel Coltman’s excellent conversion from the touchline went just short. The Uxbridge pack appeared more organised but Phoenix were holding them and were much more effective in attack where centre Matt Hood was recovering his old skills having returned for a two-season lay-off. Turnover ball was available on several occasions as neither pack took total control but Uxbridge appeared the more organised and for a full 15 minutes mid way through the first half Phoenix had to hold them at bay. But phoenix managed to clear and turned the ball over in the Uxbridge lineout and moved it out where a loose pass was eagerly gathered by Dave McMillan and cycled through lar Turner, Tom Porter and Ian Watkinson who fed Jason Townsend for a try in the corner to take Phoenix into a 10 point lead at the break.
Ian Watkinson followed another Turner break to score Phoenix’ third try early in the second half which was effectively cancelled out shortly afterwards when Uxbridge crossed for their opening try after Phoenix were penalised for off-side. Phoenix came back strongly however and from a scrummage on the half way line, Turner fed the ball left to Hood who rounded the Uxbridge defence to cross in the corner. Another Coltman conversion attempt just landed short of the posts. Phoenix then knocked the heart out of Uxbridge when they repeated almost exactly the same move within a couple of minutes but this time Hood fed wing three-quarter Adam McMillan for a try half way out on the left. Coltman slotted the conversion to take Phoenix almost out of sight at 27 points to 5 as the match entered its fourth quarter. As Phoenix relaxed however, Uxbridge were quick to advantage and scored beneath the posts taking their score to 12 points. Uxbridge piled on the pressure but Watkinson broke through on a loose ball and took play up to halfway when Turner was released with the ball but caught on the Uxbridge 5 meter line, his pass inside finding Jordan Prince however who was caught inches short of the line but some excellent Uxbridge cover tackling. Matt Hood rounded off a spectacular return to the game when he raced through from 22 meters to take Phoenix to a final tally of 34 points to 12. Phoenix train every Tuesday evening at 7.00 p.m. at their grounds in Institute road Taplow see www.phoenixrfc.com for further information.