PHOENIX STILL TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

Oxford 1sts v Phoenix 1sts

After the impressive win against joint top league leaders Harwell the previous week Phoenix travelled to Oxford on a wet and windy day which not the ideal conditions for the open running rugby Phoenix like to play .

Phoenix wanted to set there stall out early and started the game playing a tight controlled game through there forwards and an early opportunity arose for the backs to run the ball wide which allowed the Phoenix left winger Charlie Russell to cross wide out 0-5

It was not long before Phoenix were again on the attack, when once again the ball went through the hands of the Phoenix back line and the impressive winger Charlie Russell had come of his wing and unselfishly fed his fellow winger Tom Pell to score in the corner( 0- 10 )

Phoenix scrummage ,lineout and defence was not allowing Oxford to make any impression on the game .From a turn over Phoenix went wide and Bradley Coombe hit the line at pace cutting through the Oxford defence to score there third try and the conversion by Austin Leavy saw Phoenix in a commanding lead( 0-17) .

With the rain finally stopping and it starting to dry out Phoenix started to move the ball around and it was Austin Leavy who got on the score board next when again at pace he came into the line and outpace the Oxford defence to score and the bonus point try and with the conversion good lead by (0-24) and putting Phoenix in a commanding lead.

The first half ended with a try from No 8 Iain Watkinson. (0-29)

In the second half Phoenix made several with Dave Harris coming on for Alex Walsh at scrum half, Nick Coventry for Tom Pell and Robin Gill for Jamie Willis .It was not long before the scrum half was in the action taking an over thrown ball at the back of the lineout from Oxford and running hard at the defence found his way over the try line for the fifth and (0-34)

An injury from the impressive winger Charlie Russell saw him have to leave the Field to be replaced by his opposite wing Tom Pell who again received the ball and showed his pace for yet another score (0-39)

Phoenix was beginning to run riot but all credit to Oxford they did not have a great deal of ball but ran at Phoenix at every opportunity but the defence and limited there options.

It was some good work form James Dean who had been impressive all game stole the ball and some good inter changes from both forwards and backs allowed Iain Watkinson to cross for his second (0-44)

Again Phoenix were again on the attack and not to be out done Nick Coventry who had not seen very much of the ball finished in style (0-44)

One again Nick was in the limelight when he picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and his pace done the rest (0-49)

The final try came from man of the match Austin Leavy who cut a good line form full back and ghost through the Oxford defence to score his second (0-56) .What was a good all round performance by Phoenix and some excellent tries scored.

A special mention must go to the Oxford team who although were under extreme pressure never gave up trying.

Team: J Dixon J Dean M Lloyd N Wincomb O Brickley J Willis (R Gill) T Porter (Capt) I Watkinson. A Walsh (D Harris) K Roche J Winters B Coomber T Pell ( N Coventry) A Leavy J Robinson