Harwell 17 Pts v Phoenix 19 Pts

Things got off to a poor start for Phoenix when Harwell crossed in the first minute between the posts to take a 7 point lead and 5 minutes later Harwell extended their lead with a try in the corner going down the blind side from a 5 meter scrummage. For half an hour Phoenix defended strongly under some robust Harwell attacks and were able to restrict the home side to just 12 points. On the half hour and with the Phoenix pack driving strongly, Luke Maundrill crashed over for Phoenix's opening try. An excellent conversion from Townsend brought Phoenix to within 5 points of the Harwell score. The Phoenix lineout was performing well and their scrummage was solid, giving them a firm base on which to operate but Harwell gained momentum elsewhere around the park although their pace was beginning to fade. Then just on the stroke of half-time, a Harwell error in mid-field was pounced upon by Ian Watkinson who raced in from 60 meters to level the cores. A second excellent conversion in deteriorating conditions by Townsend enabled Phoenix to go into the break with a 2 point lead that had earlier looked a very remote prospect.
Harwell continued to dominate proceedings as the second half got underway and Phoenix were camped on their own 22 for long periods but their dogged defence proved difficult for Harwell to breach. Justice was served however, midway through the half when Harwell went in under the posts. Inexplicably, Harwell missed the conversion. As the match entered its final throes and Phoenix just 3 points behind, Phoenix gained the best field position they had achieved in the half. From a 5 meter scrummage Phoenix moved the ball wide with some slick passing through centres Watkinson and Winters to feed Mike Lloyd who crossed in the corner for a crucial third try, taking them into a slender 2 point lead. The Phoenix pack then took control in the mauls driving play up field. When play broke down, it was a Phoenix scrummage and with the clock in the red zone, scrum-half Harris just needed to put the ball out of play to take the match but in the very wet conditions, he slipped and his kick failed to find touch. The Harwell pack charged through and it was left to wing three-quarter Jack Dainty to eventually scramble the ball into touch as the whole Harwell pack bore down on him inside the Phoenix 22.

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill, J Willis, N Wincomb, L Maundrill, J Taylor, T Morgan, N Coltman; D Harris (Capt), K Roche, J Dainty, I Watkinson, J Winters, M Lloyd, J Townsend

Subs: P Hilling