Gosford All Blacks 32 Pts - Phoenix 10 Pts

Phoenix traveled to Gosford All Blacks last Saturday with a side weakened by the absence of several players. But in spite of this the visitors put up a spirited performance at times but again managed few periods of sustained possession and pressure to worry Gosford.

Nevertheless it took Gosford some time before they managed to open their scoring with a try almost under the posts. The conversion took them into a 7 point lead which they extended with two penalty goals before the break. Alan Bird replaced Nigel Coltman early in the first half and Jamie Willis came on for the injured Edd Dibb at half time. The scoreline could have been greater but for some tremendous tackling throughout the Phoenix side which kept Gosford out for the remainder of the first half. The problem for Phoenix was the Gosford back row which having made the initial break set up possession for their three-quarters.

Phoenix desperately needed to get onto the scoreboard early in the second half and launched several forward sorties which resulted in a try for James Richardson wide out on the right. More injuries to the weakened Phoenix side saw Coltman return to the field with 20 minutes remaining. Although the Phoenix pack made several attacks on the Gosford line, Phoenix were unable to put together any sensible attacking moves outside. In the final quarter, Gosford ran in three tries to take their score to a comfortable 32 points before Phoenix finished the game with their second try scored by Jason Townsend created by the Phoenix backline to finish the match.

Next week Phoenix entertain Chipping Norton in the Bucks Cup at Institute Road.

Phoenix: E Dibb, J Dean, J Dixon, N Wincomb, N Coltman, J Richardson, R Coborough, M Symonds; L Turner, K Roach, J Dainty, J Winters, C Harrison, M Lloyd, J Townsend

Subs: J Willis, A Bird, J Kilby