Uxbridge 31 pts Phoenix 3 pts

Phoenix RFC
Uxbridge 31 pts Phoenix 3 pts
Phoenix travelled to Uxbridge for their traditional early season friendly match before their League opener tomorrow against Princes Risborough at Institute Road.
The Taplow side got off to a reasonable start, threatening the Uxbridge line in the early stages. Adam McMillan drove strongly for the visitors and Matt Symmonds proved difficult for Uxbridge to handle. But Phoenix lacked continuity and failed to make this early pressure count. On fifteen minutes Uxbridge ran a penalty just inside the Phoenix half and rounded the defence to open their scoring with a try in the corner. The conversion went wide. Phoenix were quickly back into attack and gained a penalty for themselves just outside the Uxbridge 22 and Jason Townsend slotted the goal. At 5 points to 3, Phoenix were very much in the match but just before halftime, Uxbridge ran another penalty and caught Phoenix wrong footed again to score, this time just to the left of the posts; the conversion was good and with another try almost straight from the restart, Uxbridge had gained a 17 points to 3 lead as the halftime whistle blew.
Phoenix struggled to get their threequarters into the game as the second half got under way. Townsend popped up on occasions to test the Uxbride defence but lacked support. Phoenix rang the changes during the second half but Uxbridge continued to attack and scored two further tries without reply before time was called. Phoenix Director of Rugby Paul Jefferies was satisfied with the afternoon’s work although he would have preferred a win, a number of issues had been identified ahead of the League season and that is what these early season matches are designed to achieve – blow off the cobwebs and get into contact on the field. He said that the squad as working well at training on Tuesdays and the league opener next weekend will demonstrate the hard work that the players have put in during the summer. 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 entertain Princes Risborough in the Bucks Berks and Oxon Premier League at Institute Road, kick-off 3.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Phoenix: B Duncan, E Dibb, N Wyncombe, A Jones, M Jones, M Symmonds, I Watkinson (Captain), K Roach, D McMillan, J Winters, D Cohane, A McMillan, L Collins, J Townsend.
Subs: J. Willis, J Richardson

Other Result:
Uxbridge 2nd XV 31 pts Phoenix 2nd XV 5 pts