Phoenix RFC 20 – Abingdon RFC 32

Phoenix RFC 20 – Abingdon RFC 32

Phoenix welcomed high-flying Abingdon to Institute Road on Saturday in what proved to be a game of two halves in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship.
The home side started the game in calamitous fashion, making mistake after mistake in defence and attack. This allowed Abingdon to wrack up four quickfire tries and extend a 29-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes.
However, Phoenix responded well to this early setback and, despite seeing openside flanker Tony Porter sinbinned for a high tackle, they grew into the game and were rewarded with a well-worked try in the corner for flyhalf Jason Townsend on the stroke of halftime.
With the words of head coach Tony Padfield still ringing in their ears, Phoenix flew into the second half with a flurry of powerful carries and line breaks.
Intense pressure by the Phoenix pack was rewarded when the ball was finally spread wide to outside centre Bradley Coomber who cantered in between the sticks untouched to score a converted try.
Sensing blood, Phoenix once again took the fight to Abingdon from the re-start with club captain Tom Porter rounding off another impressive move to score his first try of the season following a long injury layoff.
The two sides went on to exchange penalty kicks, yet no more points were scored during a frenetic finish to the game.
Commenting on the performance of his team, Padfield said: “Unfortunately we paid the price for a shocking start, but the way the lads responded was superb. Our next challenge is to replicate that for the full 80 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Phoenix II lost to High Wycombe III.
Both Phoenix sides have a rest week next Saturday (10 November), although training for existing players and new recruits will take place from 12-2pm.