Phoenix 0 Pts - Stow on the Wold 14 Pts

On its annual VP day, Phoenix entertained top of the table Stow on the Wold for a match between the only two unbeaten teams in the league. On a day that the new home strip for 2012/12 was unveiled, a tightly contested match was always going to be the order of the day.

The early stages of the match were closely fought although with the elements in their favour, Stow had territorial advantage. But the Phoenix defence was difficult to pierce with the back row of Watkinson, Harris and Taylor keeping Stow under control. Little was made of a fairly continuous supply of ball to the Phoenix three-quarters which ultimately forced the Phoenix pack to take on Stow up front which they did with some success. However it was a quick tapped penalty by Stow that broke the form of the game and enabled a run in under the posts for the Stow fly-half. Phoenix refused to give an inch and Stow were forced therefore to recycle more often and only managed to break the Phoenix defence 5 minutes before half time and take a 14 point lead into the break.

Phoenix with the strong wind in their favour fancied their chances as the second half got under way and put Stow back inside their own 22 almost from the restart. Stow struggled to escape from their own territory but also defended strongly, cutting down any Phoenix attacks. Phoenix piled on the pressure up front where they had a clear advantage and forced several scrums on the Stow 5 meter line but all came to nought when, after a full 15 minutes the Phoenix pack slipped and Stow gained possession and relief from almost unbearable pressure. From this point it became difficult to see how Phoenix could overturn the Stow score. Had Phoenix moved the ball wide during their spell of forward pressure early in the second half they might have broken through but the Stow defence was not about to give way. The Stow discipline was good with Phoenix having no penalty goal chances as the game progressed although Phoenix did win several scrummage infringements in succession close to the Stow line. Phoenix kept Stow under control during the second half and it was Phoenix who finished on the front foot pressuring Stow close to their try line but they were unable to break through and for the first time this season they failed to trouble the scorers.

Next weekend Phoenix travel to Swindon College Old Boys.

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill, J Dixon, N Wincomb, A Jones, D Harris (Capt.), I Watkinson, J Taylor, L Turner, K Roach, R Innes, D McMillan, C Varey, D O’Boyle, J Townsend.

Subs: J Willis, J Richardson, M Symmonds, T Morgan