PHOENIX EXTEND LEAD AT TOP

Phoenix v Didcot

Phoenix entertained Didcot in what was the top of table clash at Institute road on Saturday. Phoenix who have not played Didcot for many years had done their homework and knew there game style and play.

Phoenix were well prepared and took the field for the challenge, and it was not long before they were on the front foot with some good driving play through the forwards and with the backs involved the ball went out wide to Jason Townsend who raced for the line which everyone thought was opening try was adjudged to have put a foot into touch.

With the strong wind in Didcot favour they opted to play a simple kicking game to try and gain the advantage, but the Phoenix backs had other ideas, and took the opportunity to run the ball back at every chance with both wingers N Coventry J Townsend and full back A Leavy making good ground but some good covering tackling from the Didcot Back three restricted the Phoenix onslaught.

With the score still at 0-0 for 30 minutes it was Phoenix who struck first with yet another good run from the left winger N Coventry who managed to get around his man to finish wide out 5-0.

Phoenix were happy with what they thought would be the half time score having had to play into the strong wind , but a miss communication in the backs allowed there winger free and he scored wide out 5-5.

Phoenix now had the advantage of the wind and not wanting to get into a kicking game continued to spread the ball wide and some good interplay from the forwards and backs saw the play taken into the Didcot 22 the referee awarded Phoenix a penalty for not rolling away and with some quick thinking from captain T Porter drove over for the second try with the conversion by N Coltman put Phoenix 12-5 up.

Phoenix were beginning to dominate in all areas and choosing to keep the ball alive in hand kept pepping the Didcot back line and some good work from both second rows tacking the ball into the heart of the Didcot defence saw a quick rucked ball move quickly through the hands and full back A Leavy entering the line at pace crossed for the 3rd and a lead of 12 points 17-5.

Phoenix went in search of their bonus point but time was running out an opportunity arose and using the wind the casual K Roche dropped a goal from 30 yards to give Phoenix a commanding lead and a good win against second in the league.

Phoenix remains top and go to Littlemore next week.

Team; J Dixon R Gill (J Dean) S Flynn A Alderton N Wincomb T Porter (Capt) J Willis (O Brickley) N Colman
D Harris (A Walsh) K Roche J Winters B Coomber J Townsend (C Russell) N Coventry A Leavy .