Firsts lose but get a vital bonus point

Phoenix had a torrid time last weekend when they visited Bicester in the Bucks Berks and Oxon Premier League but still managed to come away with a valuable league point. Within minutes of the start, Bicester dummied to move the ball play from their own lineout but struck down the blind side to open their account. With the conversion, they were 7 points clear after two minutes. Phoenix came back strongly, forcing Bicester back into their own 22 where Constable was held up just short of the line, but a forward pass from the recycled ball let Bicester off the hook and they were able to clear. On the quarter hour, Bicester extended their lead using their pace to break through at centre to score midway out on the left to take a 14 points to nil lead. Constable again tested the Bicester defence with a driving run down the left wing but again the Phoenix move broke down and Bicester were able to clear their lines. More pressure from Phoenix in the Bicester 22 came to nought and with a Biccester kick through, the visitors found themselves back inside their own 22. Bicester gathered a loose ball to score the try that took them almost out of sight and ensured that Phoenix needed to strive for bonus points rather than a win. A fourth try for the home team came just on the stroke of half-time. Chasing a deficit of 26 points was virtually impossible for Phoenix but some changes to the side, noteably bringing the clever running James Richardson into the centre replacing the injured Cohane gave Phoenix some penetration. Bicester scored two tries in the opening minutes of the second half to firmly establish their lead. Adam McMillan raced away for Phoenix down the left wing before Constable again took play into the Bicester 22 where Phoenix won a penalty and decided to take a 5 meter scrummage. The Phoenix pack had withstood anything Bicester had to offer in the tight and developed a substantial drive for Constable to touch down a pushover try. Bicester continued to increase their total but Phoenix also came at them strongly when the pack drove play into the Bicester 22 and Phoenix lock Neil Wyncombe recycled and the Phoenix threequarters spun the ball out to the wing where Mike Lloyd drove over through two despairing Bicester tackles. Shortly afterwards Phoenix veteran centre John Winters exposed some poor Bicester tackling to crash through the centre of the field and cross beneath the posts to take Phoenix to 17 points including the Ballantyne conversion. Phoenix’ fourth try came from the Bicester restart when Ian Watkinson broke forward and set Adam McMillan free to race down the left wing where he found Constable in support again, taking play into the Bicester 22. Recycled ball was fed to Winters on the burst and then along the Phoenix threequarter line where Phoenix had developed an overlap but James Richardon straightened his run and crashed through midway out on the right to gain Phoenix a valuable bonus point and take their score to 24 points as Ballantyne converted. Meanwhile Bicester had extended their score to 60 points.

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 second XV entertain Tadley at Institute Road, kick-off 3.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Phoenix: J.Willis, I Watkinson, E Dibb, N Wyncombe, N Coltman, J Richardson, T Morgan, J Constable(Captain), K Roach, M Ballantyne, J Winters, D Cohane, A McMillan, M Lloyd, J Townsend.
Subs: B Duncan, A Carey