Drifters 59 pts vs Phoenix 7pts

Drifters 59 pts vs Phoenix 7pts

A much changed Phoenix side was well beaten by a young, well organised Drifters team in their Bucks Bowl semi-final clash.

Drifters ran out easy winners in the second half when Phoenix began to tire using their faster backs to good effect.

The first 30 minutes were closely contested and the teams were only separated by a solitary Drifters penalty.

Unfortunately the game was halted at this point by a serious injury to a Drifters player. The game was moved to another pitch while an ambulance was called.

Shortly after the re-start Drifters reacted sharply, taking a quick tapped penalty and scoring while Phoenix were still re-organising their defence. The conversion made the score 0-10

With half time approaching Phoenix failed to clear a high ball in their own 22.Drifters turned the ball over giving their scrum half an easy run in for a try. Another good kick made the half time score 0-17

Five minutes into the second half Drifters secured the game when their scrum half made a searing break through the Phoenix defence only to be stopped by a high tackle. Again Drifters reacted more quickly, taking a tap penalty and scoring. The conversion pushed the score to 0-24

The alarm bells were now ringing for Phoenix. As much as they tried, they were finding it more difficult to prevent Drifters securing quick ball and using their faster three quarters. As the space opened up Drifters ran in five more tries with some excellent interplay between backs and forwards taking the score to 0-59

Phoenix never gave up, in particular Alex Jones who gave his all, and to their credit had the final score when Jason Townsend touched down following a move from the back of a set scrum. Townsend converted to make the final score 7-59

Phoenix must now re-group before their league game next Saturday at Bicester. Hopefully more of the senior players will be available to give some stability to the team.

Phoenix. J Townsend,R Innes,A McMillan,D Keohane,M Lloyd,W Ballantyne,L Saunders, J Willis,R Gill,J Richardson,N Wincomb,A Jones,P Mason,W Duncan,T Morgan.
Subs S Smith, L Collins,E Dibb

Other Results Phoenix 2nd XV 5pts vs Drifters 2nd XV 38 pts