Great weekend for Phoenix with both teams taking close victories

Still recovering from a mauling at Thatcham, Phoenix needed to re-focus on their match against Gosford All Blacks who lie just one place ahead of them in their league on points difference.
Gosford got things underway but Phoenix recycled well and cleared to take play back into the Gosford half. From the lineout, Ballantyne cleverly chipped into the corner to set a lineout just 10 meters out from the Gosford line. Phoenix were awarded a penalty when Gosford were caught off-side and elected to take the scrummage 10 meters from the Gosford line which was carefully controlled by Phoenix no.8 James Constable, driven on by the pack and touched down by Constable. Ballantyne converted from a wide angle and Phoenix were on their way with scarcely 2 minutes of the match spent. A scything run by Rob Innes who was illegally dragged down inches short of the Gosford line gave the home side a penalty which Will Ballantyne converted to take the Phoenix lead to 10 points. The Gosford pack was feeling the strain as the Phoenix powerhouse piled on the pressure in the scrums and their lineout was only marginally less. Hence Phoenix received a lot of possession but struggled to make it count on the scoreboard as the Gosford three-quarters cut down any serious Phoenix attack. But in these early stages, Phoenix were clearly in the driving seat. Harris was his usual harrying self at scrum-half but an injury slowed him down early in the half. A Phoenix error in mid-field allowed Gosford into the Phoenix 22 and they drove through under the posts and converted to open their scoring. Errors crept into the Phoenix game and the Gosford three quarters therefore had more possession than their pack actually won, being were gifted several turnover balls with which they pummelled the Phoenix defence. A try for Gosford under the Phoenix posts was responded to by another Phoenix push-over try touched down by James Constable. A rejuvenated Duncan Wardle was causing the Gosford pack considerable problems with his driving play and from a lineout he drove his way over midway between the posts and the right hand corner flag but left Phoenix with a crucial 8 point lead. From the restart however Edd Dibb broke up field feeding Wardle who spilled the ball forward and Gosford pounced to score their second try beneath the posts to almost level the scores. Ballantyne struck another penalty for the home side as they upped their game. Constable came close again, this time kicking the ball through for wing threequarter Adam McMillan who only just failed to get the touch down. The Phoenix pack began to take more control of events with prop forward Edd Dibb and flanker Duncan Wardle leading the way. The Phoenix powerhouse of Alistaire Bilson and Neil Wyncombe secured the scrummage ball. From a scrummage five meters out from the Gosford line, the Phoenix pack again drove on with no.8 James Constable controlling things at the rear for a second pushover try. Ballantyne was on target for the extras to take Phoenix back into a more comfortable 25 points to 14 lead. Just as Phoenix seemed to be taking control of proceedings a big mistake whilst on the attack enabled Gosford to run more than half the length of the field to score close to the posts. The conversion miss was significant as Phoenix retained a 6 point lead. But Gosford crossed again before the break for their fourth try of the match to take them to within a single point of the Phoenix score. Crucially Phoenix made their forward pressure count when Edd Dibb crashed through for an excellent forward’s try. Ballanyne was on target again to give Phoenix some much needed breathing space with a lead of 8 points. Significantly for Phoenix injuries to scrum-half Dave Harris and flanker Duncan Wardle reduced the forward momentum of the pack and crucially with Dave McMillan being promoted from centre to flanker also upset the Phoenix defence. As Phoenix struggled to manage these changes Gosford came back strongly and any Phoenix error was punished severely. From another turnover ball, Gosford developed an overlap on the left which looked an almost certain score until Jason Townsend cleverly intercepted and raced in from 80 meters to score another try for Phoenix and at 37 points to 24, things looked to be going Phoenix’ way with just 10 minutes remaining. But Gosford threw everything into attack and Phoenix struggled to contain them. A try wide out on the left went unconverted and a second try moments later took them to within 3 points of the home side. With just minutes remaining, Phoenix failed to finish things off but were relieved when Gosford were penalised for holding on in the tackle as they strove for the winning score. Townsend put the touch kick somewhere near Maidenhead station to end proceedings and complete a very useful victory for Phoenix. 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 have a friendly match at Institute Road with an early kick-off prior to the final 6 Nations matches that will be viewed in the Clubhouse everyone is welcome.
Phoenix: Edd Dibb, James Dean, James Willis, Neil Wyncombe, Alistaire Bilson, Duncan Wardle, James Constable, James Richardson, Dave Harris, Will Ballantyne, Dave McMillan, Rob Innes, Jason Townsend, Adam McMillan, Wilf Midlane.
Subs: Matt Hood, Kieron Roach,