PHOENIX'S CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Phoenix entertained Hungerford at their Institute Road ground on Saturday. Phoenix knew that had to put in a good performance against a very useful Hungerford who are currently lying in second place in BBO Premier League.

With early rain late morning it was always going to make life very difficult for both sides as the ball was going to be very greasy

From the outset Phoenix took the game to Hungerford and with some very strong runs from the Phoenix full back Nick Coventry, centre James Manning and Captain Tom Porter putting Hungerford under immense pressure but there strong defence kept Phoenix from crossing .

With the game swinging one way then the other the game remained in a dead lock with both defences locking horns. Phoenix was then awarded a penalty 30 yards out and the chance to open the scoring but sadly the kick went just wide.

Phoenix were still looking the stronger side as they kept testing the Hungerford defence and finally they managed to find an opening when the back row linked well wide out and with some clever interplay saw number 8 Ian Watkinson cross for the opening try (5-0).
Hungerford knew they had to get themselves back into this game and start putting some phase play together, after finding they were not going to have any joy through there back line they decided to punch it up through there big forwards and some clever off loads saw there blind side flanker bull doze his way over and Hungerford took they lead (5-7).With the first half coming to a close Hungerford were then awarded a dubious penalty for not releasing their full back slot the kick and put Hungerford into a 5 point lead .

The second half started in the same vein as the first with the big heavy forwards running at the Phoenix defence but again the tackling was outstanding from every Phoenix player.

With the very influential flanker and captain Tom Porter having to leave the field with a slight concussion Phoenix had to juggle there side but this did not upset the rhythm and Phoenix maintained their discipline and stuck to the game plan, after losing the captain it was not long before they lost the other flanker J Willis for a short time with muscular damage to his back.

With both starting flankers off the field things looked a bit shaky for a short time and with disruptions allowed Hungerford in for the second try (5-17) and with time running out Phoenix had to get back into the game.

Every player was up to the task and hammered at the Hungerford line and eventually they were awarded a penalty up stepped the very reliable kicker Nigel Coltman who calmly slotted the kick to bring Phoenix back into the game. (8-17)

With just ten minutes left Phoenix again dominated the final minutes with A Jones stealing the Hungerford line out time and again and this kept Hungerford on the back foot and it was not long before Phoenix gained another Penalty and knowing they had not enough time to get two tries opted to take the loser bonus point providing the kick went over Colman (the boot) slotted (11-17). A very strong performance from Phoenix who maybe on another day would have taken the win.

Team : S Hyland L Philpott M Lloyd A Jones L Ablott T porter J Willis I Watkinson D Harris N Coltman J Manning J Townsend. F Alderman A McKeown N Coventry C Harrison N Pidgeon C Russell J Kilby