Hungerford 13 Pts - Phoenix 29 Pts

Phoenix retained their unbeaten record for the season with an excellent victory over Hungerford last weekend. Key to the Phoenix performance was some excellent defensive work and a scintillating period 10 minutes either side of halftime during which Phoenix scored 19 points.

It was Hungerford however that got off to the better start with some very entertaining three-quarter play. But the Phoenix defence restricted the home side to just a penalty goal scored after 20 minutes, largely due to some excellent Phoenix defence from centres Dave McMillan and Chris Varey. After 15 minutes, Robin Gill came on for the injured James Dixon, with James Richardson moving to loosehead prop, but the Phoenix pack was undeterred and continued to show early signs of superiority. However, Hungerford made good use of the unusually sloping pitch which was in their favour in the first half. As Phoenix began to assert themselves, Chris Varey charged down an attempted clearance after a missed penalty goal attempt by Kieran Roche and Rob Innes pounced to score the opening Phoenix try and take the lead. Within sight of the break, Innes scored his second try, this time receiving the ball from Townsend who in turn had received the ball from Lar Turner who had broken through the Hungerford defence. This took Phoenix into the break with a 10 points to 3 lead.

Phoenix were fired up for the restart and Matt Symonds broke from the halfway line only to be dragged down just short of the tryline, popping the ball up to wing three-quarter Adam MacMillan who crossed close to the posts. The Townsend conversion added the extras for the visitors. Then Phoenix struck again when Dave Harris backed up a Roche break for prop James Richardson to blast through from 30 yards and score beneath the posts. Again Townsend slotted the conversion and Phoenix were almost out of sight at 24 points to 3. There was still plenty of time for Hungerford to come back and the complexion of the game changed when Phoenix centre Dave McMillan was substituted with an injury. Nevertheless, Hungerford found it difficult to break down the Phoenix defence. A series of tapped penalties within 10 meters of the Phoenix line eventually overcame the visitors and Hungerford scored their opening try. The immediate Phoenix response was a spectacular touch kick from Townsend that set up a drive over try from the lineout 7 meters from the Hungerford line, the scorer being James Taylor. Hungerford were not about to capitulate however and drew the best out of the Phoenix defence. With 6 minutes remaining, Hungerford scored their second try through their three-quarters and Phoenix held things together for the closing minutes to preserve their unbeaten record for the season.

Next week Phoenix play a friendly at Institute Road, kick-off 3.00 p.m. Everybody is welcome.

Phoenix: E Dibb, J Richardson, J Dixon, N Wincomb, A Jones, D Harris, J Taylor, M Symonds, L Turner, K Roche, D McMillan, C Varey, A McMillan, R Innes, J Townsend.

Subs: J Winters, R Gill, D O’Boyle