Second consecutive draw in high quality match

The quality of play demonstrated by both Hungerford and Phoenix belied their positions in the league. Hungerford gained the first scoring chance when Phoenix were penalised for holding on but pushed the penalty goal attempt well wide of the posts. Phoenix drove play deep into the Hungerford 22 in the early stages through an initial penalty and then a wayward Hungerford clearance. Phoenix however were unable to control either lineout and keep the pressure on their visitors. As a result, Hungerford escaped to halfway where another penalty enabled them to visit the Phoenix 22. Phoenix cleared their lines well and were soon into Hungerford territory again, this time driving through the forwards but were penalised again for holding on as they went for the score. The momentum during the first quarter was with Phoenix where the back row of Morgan, Coborough and Wardle was working well. Adam McMillan was unlucky to be driven into touch after a fielding a wayward Hungerford clearance and breaking down the left wing to within 5 meters of the Hungerford line. The Phoenix pack were holding Hungerford reasonably well but still lacked the continuity of possession from the driving rucks to create the space for their threequarters to threaten the Hungerford defence. Wardle galloped away on a couple of occasions and Hungerford were fortunate that he was unable to link with his support. With the Phoenix lineout less than controlled, the surprise decision by the home side to go for the corner from a penalty almost in front of the posts as things unfolded probably cost the home side the game but it was clear that Phoenix had the confidence in their pack. The kick to the corner was good enough but Phoenix failed to gain possession and from the resulting scrum, Hungerford cleared to halfway where they gained a penalty and put Phoenix back inside their own 22. A place where they were destined to remain for the for the rest of the half. If Phoenix had thrown the chance of an early lead by not taking the penalty chance in front of the posts, during the second quarter with play almost entirely in the Phoenix 22, their defence held Hungerford at bay to keep honours even at the break.
Phoenix got the second half underway and were soon on the front foot. Dave McMillan gathered a loose ball and raced away for the line but Hungerford dragged him down inches short. Then it was Hungerford’s turn in attack and they opened the scoring after 10 minutes of the second half with a try through their threequarters on the left. The conversion added the extras and Phoenix were up against things inspite of some good rucking, they were unable to break down the Hungerford defence. Duncan Wardle and Edd Dibb drove well for the home side but were unable to overcome the Hungerford tackles and the Phoenix support was not close enough to capitalise. Srong play from the Phoenix pack took them back into Hungerford territory. Wardle was adjudged to be held on the line as he went for the levelling score. Dibb drove as did lock Alex Jones but it was Wardle who eventually forced his was over through the Hungerford pack. Ballantyne converted to level the scores as the match entered its final quarter. Hungerford then created probably the best piece of open play of the match. Taking play upto the Phoenix 22 and moving left they quickly recycled the ball and took it right where they produced the overlap for their second try and a 5 point lead. Again the Phoenix pack took the game to Hungerford and forced them into some heroic defence. Another kickable penalty was foregone by Phoenix which would have given them the chance of victory with a final try. Hungerford cleared the danger from the 5 meter lineout as Phoenix failed to control the ball but only to just outside their own 22. This time Phoenix took the ball back to within inches of the Hungerford line. Wardle drove, lock Alex Joones drove, Edd Dibb at prop drove, this time the recycled ball was moved out where Ballantyne slipped a short pass to Ton Jost who cut back inside to wrong foot the Hengerford defence and score the levelling try. The conversion was desperately close with the touch judges disagreeing.
Phoenix secured the ball from the restart and Roach sent the ball into touch to end a thrilling encounter. 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 Abbey 3rd XV at Institute Road, kick-off 2.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Phoenix: E Dibb, C Harrison, J Willis, A Jones, N Wyncombe, R Cobrough, T Morgan, D Wardle, K Roach, W Ballantyne, J Winters, D McMillan, A McMillan, T Jost, R Inness.
Subs: B Duncan, J Constable, J Richardson.