Phoenix lose bottom of the table clash

Phoenix travelled to Stow last weekend for a tough match. Stow then sat at the bottom of the league and both sides were looking for their first league win of the season.
Phoenix got off to a good start, opening the scoring when Will Ballantyne slotted a penalty goal after just a few minutes. But Stow were demonstrating some good driving play although Phoenix held them for most of the first quarter. But it was not long before Stow broke through as they pressured the Phoenix defence and ran out of numbers to score a try wide out on the left. A similar score after 25 minutes took Stow into a 10 point lead in spite of strong Phoenix defence where Winters, Roach and Jost stemmed the Stow flow. Phoenix had their chances but failed to retain the ball for sufficient time to significantly affect the Stow defence. Jost proved to be probably the strongest of the Phoenix running backs and did cause some concern in the Stow ranks but Phoenix were unable to retain the ball to provide continuity in attack and the moves broke down in the loose. But equally, it was the loose where Stow transgressed and Phoenix collected four penalties before the break, two of which were converted by Ballantyne. Stow managed a further two tries before the break however to take a commanding 22 points to 6 lead.
Phoenix coach Dave Harris and Billy Duncan issued instructions during the break and Phoenix had the better of the match in the third quarter during which they kept Stow at bay and became a little more penetrating with their moves. In fact it was not until the final 10 minutes of the match that Stow were able to advance their score. Alex Jones joined his captain Ian Watkinson in combat against the energetic Stow pack and more ball came the Phoenix way. Dibb drove strongly at prop assisted by his front row partners of the veteran Alan Herd and hooker James Riachardson. Will Ballantyne at fly-half set his threequarters moving with his usual aplomb and Winters in particular at centre for Phoenix broke through several tackles as did Jost on the right wing to cause Stowe a few problems but such was the ferocity of Stow in the loose, Phoenix were unable to recycle the ball with any continuity. Eventually a Stow flanker who had caused Phoenix most of their problems took a 10 minute rest and Phoenix prospered a little. Phoenix brought on Luke Collins on the wing for Darren Miller with just 20 minutes remaining. Phoenix had kept Stow in check for nearly 30 minutes but then Stow touched down their first try of the second half with barely 10 minutes of the match remaining. But Phoenix did not give up but an unfortunate error as they tried to counter attack gifted Stow another try before the final Stow try took their tally to 39 points. But Phoenix kept going and tried all avenues through which to break through the Stow defence. The Phoenix pack drove inside the Stow 22 and recycled to Ballantyne who judged his cross-kick to perfection for Watkinson to gather and cross unopposed for a Phoenix try to take their tally to 11 points. Although Phoenix did not produce that elusive victory which on this showing must surely be soon in coming, they did play with great conviction and with a little more ball retention, could have upset the Stow show. Phoenix train every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7.00 p.m. at their grounds in Institute road Taplow see www.phoenixrfc.com for further information.
Next weekend Phoenix entertain Readingensians at Institute Road, kick-off 2.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Phoenix: E Dibb, J Richardson, A Herd, A Jones, N Coltman, I Watkinson, T Morgan, C Varey, J Mosleley, W Ballantyne, J Winters, K Roach, T Jost, D. Miller, J Townsend.
Subs: B Duncan, L Collins.