Phoenix 13 Pts v Swindon College Old Boys 36 Pts

However the final score rather flattered the Swindon side who were behind for most of the match.

Swindon got things under way but Phoenix controlled the kick-off well and Paul Byrne put in a good touch kick to return play to the halfway mark. Swindon came back but a Phoenix interception by Lar Turner on the Phoenix 22 created the first scoring chance for Phoenix. Good interplay between Turner and Jason Townsend got play into the Swindon 22. From a scrummage Phoenix flanker Tim Morgan broke and fed Dave Harris on the inside who charged through the gap to score. Townsend added the extras and the visitors were suddenly 7 points behind with a quarter of the match spent. Swindon brought on their first replacement at No. 8 and clearly began to use him for the initial thrust. From a scrum near the halfway line a No. 8 break set the Swindon winger free who crossed and ran around behind the posts for what should have been the levelling score but the kick went wide and Phoenix retained the lead. The Phoenix pack were doing well in the tight and their lineouts were good. Around the fringes James Taylor and Morgan were effective and together the pack held Swindon up as they tried to increase their impact on the game. Luke Maundrill drove strongly in the loose for Phoenix and hooker Robin Gill was as effective as ever in the tackle. Phoenix were operating in a controlled manner and pushed play up to the Swindon 22 where Townsend slotted a penalty as Swindon were guilty of handling in the loose to increase their lead to 5 points. But Swindon levelled the scores with another No. 8 break and a try in the corner. Phoenix again established territorial advantage and Townsend slotted another penalty to take a 3 point lead into the break.

Les Philpott replaced Dan Symonds for Phoenix at halftime and shortly afterwards Alan Bird came on for the injured Maudrill. Phoenix took play up to the Swindon line but were held over the line. Crucially Phoenix lost their own scrummage in midfield and a No. 8 break created an overlap for a third Swindon try. A fourth Swindon try a few minutes later took the visitors into a significant lead. But Swindon were collecting yellow cards almost as quickly as points when Phoenix pressed them on their own line. Two yellow cards in quick succession should have given Phoenix the opportunity to strike back but a huge defensive error let Swindon in under the posts and took them almost out of sight at 31 points to 13. Phoenix came back again to camp on the Swindon line where the visitors collected another two cards, one turning red. As Phoenix moved the ball extravagantly, trying to score, Swindon accepted another scoring chance to complete their scoring which flattered them somewhat. Phoenix finished on top however pressing Swindon on their own line again as the match came to a close. Next week is a non-league weekend before Phoenix travel to Aylesbury Athletic on 2nd March.

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill, J Dixon, N Wincomb, L Maundrill, J Taylor, T Morgan, D Symonds; D Harris (Capt.), P Byrne, M Lloyd, I Watkinson, L Turner, C Harrison, J Townsend

Subs: C Vaughan, L Philpott, A Bird