Stow on the Wold 72 Pts v Phoenix 7 Pts

Injuries have ravaged Phoenix since Christmas and they were critical to the outcome of the match against Stow. The Phoenix pack stuck to their task valiantly but, when in attack, the Stow three quarters were just too swift for the depleted Phoenix outfit.

Stow got things underway and were quickly on the offensive, pinning Phoenix back in their own half for much of the match. A Stow try through the centre put the home side ahead early on and was followed with a second try shortly afterwards. The Phoenix pack drove strongly both n the tight and loose and Dave Harris at scrum-half kept them going forward. However, it was when Stow had possession and stretched the Phoenix cover defence that gaps appeared and Stow were not shy at using them, if not to score then to make decisive breaks. Injuries to prop Jamie Willis and no. 8 Matt Symonds did little to help the Phoenix cause Willis after half an hour and Symonds at half-time. This however gave brother Dan Symonds the chance to contribute and brought on Andrew Brench for his first XV debut. A debut that also saw him score the only Phoenix try mid way through the second half from a Phoenix pushover 5 meter scrummage. There was little respite for Phoenix as Stow piled on the pressure as the match progressed. However the Phoenix pack kept driving forward at every opportunity. Fortunately injuries don’t last for ever!

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill, J Willis, N Wincomb, L Maundrill, J Taylor, J Dixon, M Symonds; D Harris (Capt), P Byrne, M Lloyd, J Richardson, J Kilby, J Townsend, N Coltman

Subs: A Brench, D Symonds