PHOENIX STRIKE BACK AGAINST HARWELL

Phoenix 1sts 29 v Harwell 1sts 0

Phoenix entertained Harwell at their home base at Institute road on Saturday. This top of the table clash was going to be Phoenix hardest game of the season thus far. Phoenix who had a disappointing result against their old rivals Farnham Royal the previous league game and the players were up to get there winning run back on track .

Phoenix had two good training sessions this week working on their defence in readiness for this game with a good work out with the London Irish coaches who came down to give Phoenix some very valid pointers.

Phoenix took the Field in what was going to be very difficult day for both sides with the weather conditions not in favour of good running rugby .Phoenix from the outset took the game to Harwell and drove at them time and again.

Phoenix did not allow Harwell to create any momentum who’s game plan was to be play there forwards hoping to open the defence up but the line stood strong throughout and never allowed the Harwell side to breech the strong defence of Phoenix and some hard hits from man of the match Oliver Brickley and captain Tom Porter knocking there attack back at every opportunity and making the Harwell players knock on time and again.

From one scrum the Phoenix front row of J Dixon , J Dean and S Flynn put the Harwell scrum under immense pressure and with the hooker taking the ball against the head moved the ball quickly into open play and with some good support runners saw the number 8 Ian Watkinson go over for Phoenix opening try 5-0.

Phoenix were now beginning to dominate in every department and it was not long before they breeched the Harwell line yet again with what looked like a good opportunity gone when the final pass went to ground the winger L Collins managed to re-gather step his winger and run around the Full back for a well finished try and a lead of 10 for Phoenix. Phoenix was now getting their tails up and taking the Harwell scrum and lineout at will with some excellent strikes against the head from J Dean.

From a Phoenix scrum on the halfway line a backs move in the midfield saw the Phoenix fullback, A Leavy hit the line at pace and dive in the corner for Phoenix third try and with the conversion from J Townsend, Phoenix now stretched there led to 17 points. Phoenix wanted more and went searching for their forth and a bonus point.

From a good Phoenix lineout on the half way line the ball went wide quickly and a strong drive up the midfield from the inside centre John Winters drove hard at the Harwell back line and brushed through a couple of tacklers but was held up just short of the line from the assuming ruck the ball was picked and drove by again the number 8 Ian Watkinson who crossed for his second and another bonus point for Phoenix. At half time both sides made changes, for Phoenix on came Tom Pell for the Charlie Russell, and was right in the action with some strong runs down his left wing and was held up several times The second change was made after 60 minutes and Alex Walsh was replaced by Dave Harris who soon got himself into the game with some good tackling around the fringes which again never allowed Harwell to make any impression on the Phoenix side.

With the changes made from Harwell, the game became a lot tighter than the first half and restricted Phoenix momentum but yet another good run from the backs and a drive from the forwards saw the scrum half Dave Harris force his way over for Phoenix fifth try and another conversion from J Townsend saw a very strong all round performance from Phoenix and a very pleasing win against second in table. A win which stretches there lead at top of by 5 points.

Team J Dixon J Dean S Flynn A Bird O Brickley J Willis T Porter I Watkinson A Walsh D Harris K Roche J Winters J Townsend C Russell T Pell A Leavy.