Swindon College Old Boys 12 Pts - Phoenix 6 Pts

This was a brilliant performance from the Taplow side suffering seven changes to the team that had battled so hard against league leaders Stow on the Wold the previous weekend. This could have totally upset the side but Neil Wincomb as captain held things together and with Iain Watkinson controlling the Phoenix pack - in which Luke Maundrill was outstanding - and Dave McMillan marshalling the three-quarter defence, Phoenix came very close to securing their fifth league victory of the season.

Swindon College Old Boys got things going and play was fairly even during the opening stages as both sides tested each other. The Phoenix lineout was excellent where Nigel Coltman and Watkinson took useful possession but their ball control in the loose gave the home team too many turnover balls. James Taylor continued his excellent play at flanker and caused Swindon great problems throughout the match. Half way through the first half, Swindon turned over a ball in midfield and a clever run by their fly-half enabled them to open the scoring with a fine try near the posts. Phoenix had their chances as well during the first half when Dave O’Boyle made a useful break and Jason Townsend went close with a penalty goal attempt. James Richardson was penetrating in open play but Swindon kept their defence very tight and Phoenix were unable to affect the scoreboard. Jack Dainty also had his moments on the wing for Phoenix as did the Macmillan brothers in the centre spots.

Phoenix rang the changes at half time when John Winters came on for Adam McMillan and Mike Lloyd came on for prop forward Jamie Willis. This forced a rearrangement of the Phoenix pack that crucially took Watkinson out of the Phoenix back row. But Phoenix were on song in the second half and looked likely to upset Swindon. With Phoenix territorial advantage, Swindon mistakes were punished by Phoenix veteran Nigel Coltman who slotted two penalty goals to take Phoenix to within a single point of the Swindon score with just 20 minutes of the match remaining. It was just possible that Phoenix could snatch victory. Luke Maundrill drove strongly in the loose but was dragged down close to the Swindon line. And Phoenix went for the corner with a third kickable penalty as the match entered its final 10 minutes. But as Phoenix prepared themselves for a final attack on the Swindon line, it was Swindon who struck with their second try down the right wing just outflanking the Phoenix defence to take their score to 12 points. A losing bonus point for Phoenix under the circumstances was a reasonable result. Next week Phoenix travel to Aylesbury Athletic in the final of the Bucks Bowl.

Phoenix: J Dixon, J Richardson, J Willis, N Wincomb, L Maundrill, N Coltman, J Taylor, I Watkinson, L Turner, K Roche, D O'Boyle, D McMillan, A McMillan, J Dainty, J Townsend

Subs: J Winters, M Lloyd, T Schofield