Phoenix 29 pts Uxbridge 20 pts

Phoenix entertained Uxbridge at Institute Road last weekend in a non-league match. Phoenix initially struggled to contain a heavier and well drilled Uxbridge pack but soon found that their own three-quarters had the measure of their opponents. Possession was not easy for the Taplow side to gain and in the opening stages they were left to make the most of any scraps that they could muster. But from a loose ball, Adam McMillan broke through and fed Matt Simpson in support for a try beneath the posts. Uxbridge responded with a penalty goal almost immediately when Phoenix were caught off-side. The Uxbridge got the reward for their pressure when they managed to crash over in the corner for a try to take the lead. McMillan broke away again for Phoenix and rounded the Uxbridge defence to score wide out as half time approached. Phoenix forced Uxbridge onto the back foot and from a lineout on the Uxbridge 22, Barton soared to take the ball and was driven on by his pack. The ball was moved out and Ben Wood used his pace to skip free of the Uxbridge defence and fed full-back Townsend who crossed beneath the posts. A Woods conversion took Phoenix into the break with a commanding eleven point lead.
The second half started in much more determined mood but Uxbridge managed to reduce the deficit to just 6 points as Phoenix failed to clear their lines. Jack Dainty and Larry Collins came on for Adam McMillan and Ben Wood. The Phoenix three-quarters continued to have the better of their Uxbridge opponents and made several attacks but were unable to score until Simpson broke through to take Phoenix to 26 points but Uxbridge were not to be outdone and replied with a try of their own brining them to within striking distance at 20 points to 26. Phoenix settled things however, nine minutes from time with a final penalty goal that gave them a comfortable 9 point lead which they defended until the final whistle.
Phoenix train every Tuesday evening at 7.00 p.m. at their grounds in Institute road Taplow see www.phoenixrfc.com for further information. Next weekend Phoenix get back to league rugby with a home fixture at Institute Road against Thatcham, kick-off 2.30 p.m.
Phoenix: E Dibb, S Smith, N Barton, J Dixon, M Jerstice, P Devlin, A McMillan, M Jones, C Clewis, Roche, B Wood, M Simpson, T Jost, G Turner, J Townsend.
Subs: L Cornish, J Dainty, L Collins, N Macarten.