High scoring draw to start the 1sts season

Phoenix welcomed new entrants into the Bucks Berks and Oxon Premier League, Prices Risborough in generous style last weekend and very nearly came unstuck.
Phoenix were without halfback Will Ballantyne for this encounter but Bradley Coomber stepped in at fly-half, linking for the first time with scrum-half Kieron Roach.
The Risborough pack proved a force to be reckoned with during the early stages of the match but Phoenix were soon on the scoreboard when Mark Jones took a quick penalty and secured a penalty within kicking range as Risborough failed to fall back 10 meters. Townsend duly kicked the penalty to take the early lead.
The home side’s first try was not long in coming when Coomber broke right, feeding Townsend who switched play back left and Constable drove strongly into the Risborough 22 to seed Adam McMillan on the wing for a try wide out on the left. Townsend converted well almost from the touchline to increase Phoenix’ lead to 10 points. But Risborough came back strongly as Phoenix seemed to relax and slotted a penalty goal before crossing for their first league try from a quickly taken penalty that caught Phoenix wrong footed in defence. But Phoenix drove Risborough back into their own 22 and as they tried to run out of defence a dropped pass fell for Adam McMillan who crossed for his second try of the afternoon and with another good Townsend conversion re-established a 17 points to 8 lead for his team. But Phoenix were beginning to lose their momentum.
The Risborough pack controlled the tight scrum whilst Mark Jones was in charge for the home side in the lineout. Just before the break Risborough got their just rewards although Phoenix slipped off a few tackles in the process with a second try beneath the posts.
Phoenix started the second half with a slender 2 point lead but were straight into attack and kept Risborough pinned on their own line for at lease 10 minutes. The Risborough defence was strong and Phoenix could not find a way through. A wayward Phoenix pass was intercepted by Risborough who ran the length of the pitch to score beneath the posts and take a 22 points to 17 lead. This was a devastating blow to Phoenix after such a long period of pressure and was compounded when a speculative Risborough kick down the field was gathered and chipped into the attacking Risborough players hands for a second try beneath the posts.
John Winters entered the fray at centre replacing the injured Dave McMillan whilst Jamie Willis took over tight head prop duty from veteran Billy Duncan. But with just 15 minutes of the match remaining, Phoenix needed a small miracle to avoid defeat. Phoenix had been creative all afternoon but had failed to finish many of their moves as the final passes went astray. Phoenix continued to create space and drove Risborough back onto their own line where Edd Dibb touched down after a prolonged forward drive. An excellent kick from Townsend took the home side to within 5 points of the Risborough total with just a few minutes remaining.
When all seemed lost, Coomber broke away and cut back inside, linked with replacement centre John Winters who managed under pressure to get the ball away to Adam McMillan who crashed over in the corner to level the scores. The final kick was just too much for Townsend and the scores remained level at 29 points each. Phoenix train every Tuesday evening at 7.00 p.m. at their grounds in Institute road Taplow see www.phoenixrfc.com for further information.

Next weekend Phoenix first XV travel to Thatcham whilst Phoenix seconds entertain Thatcham seconds in the Bucks Berks and Oxon League at Institute Road, kick-off 3.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Phoenix: B Duncan, I Watkinson (Captain), E Dibb, N Wyncombe, A Jones, M Jones, M Symmonds, J Constable, K Roach, B Coomber, D McMillan, M Ansell, D Cohane, A McMillan, J Townsend.
Subs: J. Willis, J Winters, J Dean