DOMINANT SECOND HALF

Phoenix V Farnham Royal

Phoenix maintained there top of the league position with a strong second half performance against local rivals Farnham Royal.
This was always going to be a tough game for Phoenix as Farnham Royal is the only club this season to beat Phoenix In their last outing back in October.

Phoenix took the field and although they got straight into the game they looked very nervous and this affected there play throughout the first half with balls being spilt and knocked on. Farnham Royal were putting some good phases together but the defence was strong throughout and it was Phoenix who scored the first points of the game with a well struck penalty by Nigel Coltman.(3-0)

Although being in the lead Phoenix were still not being able to settle and it was the Farnham Royal centre that was next on the score board with a pacey run and some missed tackles from Phoenix (3-7).

Phoenix again took the game to Farnham and with a quick ball out to the back line saw Jason Townsend , and with some clever link play from hooker Robin Gill fed the full back who crossed wide out to put Phoenix back in front (8-7)

With a stern talking to players from the Phoenix coaches at half time Phoenix started to play some good phase rugby with the back line opening up the Farnham royal’s defence.

It was Bradley Coomber who was next on the score board with an outrageous dummy in which he sent three Farnham Royal players the wrong way to cross for the second and with the conversion from Jason Townsend gave Phoenix some breathing space. (15-7)

Phoenix were now dominating proceedings with forwards and backs beginning to link together, it was a strong run from second row Neil Wincomb that set up the platform for Phoenix’s Third try as he made a run towards the line he was brought down ten meters out and a quick rucked ball allow skipper Tom Porter to pick, drive low and hard over the line (20-7).

Farnham Royal were not going to lie down easily and a fine break from their flanker made a strong run towards the line but a chase back from centre Bradley Coomber brought him down on the Phoenix 22.

Phoenix were now in search of the bonus point and it was Jason Townsend who came into the line at pace and with the Farnham Royal defence committed had an easy run in for his second and the bonus point try (25-7)

With the game drawing to a close the referee awarded Phoenix yet another penalty for not releasing in front of the posts (28-7).

Team.
Nick Bird, R Gill, M Lloyd N Wincomb, O Brickley, T Porter, J Willis N Colman
D Harris, K Roche, T Pell, J Winters, B Coomber, N Coventry, J Townsend J Kilby A Bird A Walsh J Robinson