Drifters 27 - Phoenix 1st XV 14

Phoenix travelled to old rivals Drifters last Saturday in urgent need of victory, sadly Drifters did not oblige. But Phoenix had a new lease of life and were unlucky on several occasions not to inflict pain on their opponents.
Drifters got things under way and were soon on the front foot albeit as the result of a Phoenix error gifting them a penalty which they took into the corner. A short forward drive was moved out and a simple chip through was enough to take the lead after only 5 minutes. Phoenix struggled to make any inroads into Drifters territory at this stage and suffered the inevitable consequences when the home side slotted two penalty goals when Phoenix were caught off-side. Adrift by 13 points with barely 15 minutes of the match spent, Phoenix raised their game and pressured Drifters into some uncharacteristic errors and kept them pinned inside their own 22 for significant periods. Penalties were forthcoming and this time, due to territorial advantage it was Phoenix’ turn to attempt goal kicks, unfortunately two attempts went wide before Adam McMillan finished off a blustering Phoenix attack to score just to the left of the posts. The conversion recovered some ground for the visitors and they turned round just 6 points adrift at 13 points to 7.
The Phoenix pack held their opponents in most phases and out wide Drifters had more creativity but the Phoenix defence was more than capable of holding them. Unfortunately errors crept in and Drifters gained more possession than they had really earned. The second Drifters try came when Phoenix fumbled inside their own 22 and Drifters pounced. Shortly afterwards Drifters put the game pretty much beyond doubt by intercepting a pass when Phoenix were in the ascendant moving advantage ball wide. A try beneath the posts gave Drifters a 20 point lead. So far Phoenix had created little to threaten Drifters but a loose ball gathered by Matt Asslett at centre was met with determination and dancing feet as he weaved his way to within 5 meters of the Drifters line. The Phoenix pack were on hand to engineer the recyclement of the ball and the faithful Neil Wyncombe crashed over just to the left of the posts and with a Jason Townsend conversion reduced the deficit to 13 points. Phoenix upped their game in the final quarter but were unable to breach a strong Drifters defence and the game came to a close with Phoenix still seeking a second win this season.
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 Hungerford in the Bucks Berks and Oxon Premier League, kick-off 2.30 p.m. everyone is welcome.
Phoenix: James Willis, Robin Gill, James Dixon, Alistaire Bilson, Neil Wyncombe, Mark Jones, Ian Watkinson (capt.), James Constable, Dave Harris, Matt Hood, Dave McMillan, Matt Asslett, Jason Townsend, Adam McMillan, Wilf Midlane.
Subs: Ed Dibb, Steve Smith, Rob Innes.