NARROW ESCAPE FOR THE PHOENIX 1XV

Faringdon 9-11 Phoenix

In a tough game that could have proved as cataclysmic for the Taploicans' title hopes as the numbers in the score line suggest, the league leaders maintained their excellent run of form.

Successfully shaking off the Christmas pud, NYE hangovers, January blues and a pack full of tenacious Faringdon farmers, Phoenix extended their advantage at the top of the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Championship.

The away side spent virtually the entire first 40 minutes camped inside the opposition's half, however despite the pressure, multiple structural, handling and kicking errors contributed to a blank score sheet by half time. Two missed penalties added to their frustration, the first striking the post after the wind somehow whipped the ball offline.

Faringdon had barely 25% possession yet went into the break in the lead. In what was remarkably the home side's sole attack of the half, another Phoenix error, this time in front of the posts, gifted them a penalty in the moments before the whistle. An undeserved but important 3-0 half time lead for the hosts was the result.

As the second half got underway, the south easterly that had driven the Phoenicians so close for much of the first forty was now in their faces. Now the need to drive home their creative and tactical superiority to score the points their flair deserved became paramount.

After some hard work it duly arrived in the shape of a powerful yet wizardly run by Jason Townsend, darting his way through the pack and diving over in the corner for a score that was rapturously celebrated by the strong and vocal travelling support. Coltman's radar was again awry, a scuffed kick frustrating the Phoenix faithful, but the momentum had shifted at last.

Despite the try, the second half was proving more difficult for the away side than the first as with the wind behind them, Faringdon started to look dangerous. Another Phoenix infringement. Another penalty. The boot of Lord Farmer from Faringdon duly did the rest and restored the lead. 6-5.
Then followed the most exciting phase of the game, with both teams showing real attacking zeal and no small dose of flair, with chip n chase, kick n run, running rugby and French style attacking dominating the discourse.

Points followed too, both sides exchanging successful penalty kicks in the space of two minutes to keep it cliffhanging at 9-8 as they hit the stretch.

The pressure then started to tell as the rain fell. Tempers frayed quite markedly, with Phoenix sin binning, both teams trading blows in several punch ups, plus a few bitch slaps necessitating some stern words from referee to skippers, all as the conditions deteriorated.

Finally, with five minutes left on the clock, just as it seemed the loyal away fans were going to head home disheartened, the farmers infringed once too often. Lanky Lock threw a punch at Harris and Coltman made no mistake from 12 yards. The roar could probably be heard back in Burnham.

That score proved decisive as Phoenix held off a fierce late onslaught to claim a thrilling victory that almost tempted your scribe out of retirement. Almost. Uno they wouldn't be Phoenix if they didn't set a few hearts a flutter, but that's why fans, fuddly duddlies and tired old hacks alike love them.

James Dixon, James Dean, Sean Flynn, Anthony Alderson, Neil WIncomb, Tom Porter, Jamie Willis, Nigel Coltman, Dave Harris, Kieran Roche, John Winters, Bradley Coomber, Tom Pell, Nick Coventry, Jason Townsend, Oliver Brickley, Robin Gill, John Kilby.

By Paul Brand.