Great first away win for 1st XV lift them out of relegation zone

Phoenix travelled to Hungerford for their penultimate match of the season. Any thoughts of good weather rugby evaporated as the heavens opened within 5 minutes of the kick-off. This greatly affected the first half of the match as both sides struggled to control the ball in near monsoon conditions. But Phoenix started the stronger with the sloping pitch to their advantage and Jason Townsend came close almost immediately, being bundled into touch inches short of the Hungerford line. The Phoenix pack was operating relatively smoothly, gaining lineout ball and ruling the tight scrums but was unable to make any penetration on the strong Hungerford defence. Phoenix were caught deep in defence and Hungerford took the lead with a penalty. It took Phoenix some time to get back into the game but just before half time, Hungerford were caught off-side and the ever reliable Will Ballantyne slotted the equaliser.
With the slope in favour of the home side, things looked bleak for Phoenix unless they could improve their performance. Captain Neil Wyncombe and coach Paul Jefferies left the Phoenix in no doubt about what was required and as the second half got underway, there seemed a renewed resolve about the Phoenix play. Wyncombe led the forward charge and Phoenix began to capitalise on their forward strength. Under pressure, Hungerford were forced to clear to touch but a wayward clearance found Matt Asslett on the halfway line. He broke the Hungerford defence and grub kicked through to win the race for the touch down and give Phoenix an 8 point to 3 lead. His teammate Will Ballantyne duly converted to add the extras. Mark Jones entered the fray for Phoenix when Jamie Willis left the field with an injury but this allowed Coltman to take up his preferred position at flanker. Phoenix upped the pressure and a penalty in front of the Hungerford posts was elected as a scrummage from which Phoenix eventually scored although they had to win two further scrummages before James Constable touched down a forward drive for the line. The Ballantyne conversion took Phoenix into a 14 point lead as Hungerford began to move the ball through their threequarters with gay abandon. During this phase of play, the Phoenix defence came up to the mark and prevented any Hungerford scores. In particular, Matt Hood at centre forced the Hungerford attacks into touch on several occasions. The Phoenix defence held out and when Hungerford were tested they were unable to cope with some sparkling Phoenix attacks. James Constable broke down the right and slipped the ball to Nigel Coltman in support who flipped the ball in turn to Phoenix hooker James Dean for another Phoenix try. Another drive up the centre of the field was thwarted by Hungerford as Wardle came close but just before time, Phoenix secured the bonus point with a try by Coltman who came onto the ball, switching direction after the pack had driven on for a final try. 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 kick-off 3.00 p.m.
Phoenix: Edd Dibb, James Dean, Jamie Willis, Neil Wyncombe, Nigel Coltman, Duncan Wardle, James Constable, James Richardson, Will Ballantyne, Kieron Roach, Matt Ansell, Matt Hood, Rob Innes, Adam McMillan, Jason Townsend.
Subs: Mark Jones, Alan Bird