Phoenix 46 Pts - Aylesbury Athletic 22 Pts

The match started with Phoenix quick to assert themselves in the set pieces, and on five minutes Lar Turner scored a try on a scrum win against the head, after being fed by Iain Watkinson, who was a controlling influence at number eight all afternoon. This was followed by a penalty goal from Paul Byrne, making his 1st XV debut at fly half, to give Phoenix an early 8-0 lead. Further superiority at the scrum from Phoenix set up a blindside attack that saw some clever interplay between Jack Dainty and Matt Symonds that saw Symonds score a try, converted by Byrne. Dave McMillan was lost halfway through the first half to an Achilles tendon injury, replaced by John Winters, and the newly shuffled backline began to be put under pressure by the speedy Aylesbury Athletic backline. In particular they were very strong at fly half, inside centre and full back, all three of whom caused no end of problems all afternoon on the few occasions that they were not put under immediate pressure. Aylesbury Athletic scored following a break in the centre of the pitch to bring the scores back to 15-5, but Phoenix again sought to bring the game tight to the forwards to nullify this threat, scoring a pushover try, touched down by Watkinson, to give Phoenix a 20-5 lead at half time.

James Dixon replaced Jamie Willis at half time, and the second half started with Aylesbury Athletic asserting their free running game, which saw them score another try through their fly half/inside centre combination to bring the game back to a ten point game. Phoenix again brought the game in tight and following a period of pick and go’s from their own 10 yard line, Luke Maundrill muscled over for Phoenix’s 4th try, securing the bonus point. This was followed closely by another series of close-in attacks that saw James Richardson driving through from 20 yards and scoring near the posts, converted by Byrne. At this point Phoenix lead 32-10, but as the game entered the last quarter, the superior fitness levels of the Aylesbury Athletic players began to bring them back into the game. The fly half scored on another break to bring the scoreline to within 15 points and Phoenix were beginning to feel the pressure that was only relieved when the scrum forced another pushover try, touched down by Watkinson. As the match entered the last 5 minutes, John Kilby came on, replacing Jack Dainty. Aylesbury struck back quickly with a fine try by their quick full back, but had left too much to do with not enough time left, and Winters scored on an interception beneath the posts as Aylesbury looked to fling every ball to their danger men out wide. With the conversion by Byrne, Phoenix had secured a fine 46-22 win that sees them remain third in the BB&O Premier table with a game in hand on second-placed Swindon College Old Boys.

Next week Phoenix play Bicester away in the League, kick-off 2.30p.m.

Phoenix: J Willis, J Richardson, E Dibb, M Symonds, L Maundrill, J Taylor, D Harris, I Watkinson; L Turner, P Byrne, M Lloyd, D McMillan, B Coomber, J Dainty, R Innes
Subs: J Dixon, J Winters, J Kilby