Phoenix 13 pts Drifters 10 pts

Lying mid-table they scored 19 points in the final 15 minutes to overturn a 16 point Alchester, the then league leaders lead a couple of weeks ago and then follow it with a dreadful performance against Thatcham who were a few places below them in the league. So it was with great interest that Phoenix entertained local rivals Drifters at Institute Road last Saturday. Phoenix laid on a Vice President’s Lunch and sought to re-establish their winning ways.

Phoenix were at full strength for this encounter with only perhaps the influential flanker Ian Watkinson sidelined from the starting fifteen.
Phoenix kicked off well with Laidler landing the ball just over the 10 meter line wehere Phoenix regained possession through the skills of veteran No. 8 Billy Duncan. The Phoenix drive was stopped illegally and Phoenix sent the first of their kickable penalties into the corner for the lineout. Matthew Symmonds took the ball well in the lineout for the home side and it was moved smartly to inside centre Dave McMillan who was crashed into touch on the corner flag. The lineout was recycled by Phoenix but the Drifters defence was strong and they managed to escape after 8 minutes of pressure back up to the half-way line. But the Drifters relief was short-lived and Phoenix were back inside their opponents 22 for a full twenty minutes. Such was the strength of the Drifters defence that Phoenix although having dominated the first quarter of the match came away with nothing to show for their efforts. A penalty goal attempt was squandered during this period in favour of the lineout and drive option. Now it was Drifters turn to pressurise Phoenix from the lineout the visitors drove forward but the maul was illegally pulled down and Phoenix skipper was given 10 minutes during which he watched his team cough up two tries. The first was scored when Drifters drove the weakened Phoenix pack backwards for an unconverted try and the second when Drifters began to show their more expansive game after the initial forward drive was stopped they swiftly moved the ball wide and cut through the Phoenix defence halfway out on the right on the half hour. But Phoenix restored to full strength came back strongly and after a couple of infringements as they drove for the Drifters line were awarded a penalty try. Inexplicably Phoenix failed to convert from in front of the posts but had at last established a score. This aberration was compounded when from the restart, Phoenix failed to attempt to gather the ball, gifting Drifters the opportunity to move forward. In the event, Phoenix were penalised and Drfiters gained a free shot at goal just as half-time approached. The kick was missed and Phoenix turned round just 5 points adrift.

It was essential for Phoenix to recover the dominance of the opening quarter but sadly for the home supporters, play immediately gravitated to the Phoenix try line. A Drifters lineout five meters out was repelled by Phoenix and they managed to clear their lines. But clearly, Phoenix needed to stamp their authority on the game and a Laidler penalty goal in front of the posts took Phoenix to within 2 points of the Drifters total. Phoenix did then up the pressure and began to dominate proceedings but could not find a way through the Drifters defence. Another Phoenix penalty went wide of the mark but Phoenix kept up the pressure and from this point in the match Drifters were unable to enter Phoenix territory, clearing their lines mainly through penalty kicks but such was the Phoenix dominance in the lineout that they soon found themselves back defending inside their own 22. But Phoenix could not break down the Drifters defence and were then guilty of over elaborating their attacks. But in the final minute of the game, Phoenix ran the ball wide where Adam McMilan crashed over on the wing to take the lead. The conversion was missed but Phoenix had the lead and when the whistle blew they also had the match.