Phoenix 5 Pts v Hungerford 22 Pts

Phoenix started well and applied good pressure for the first 10 minutes of the match, which resulted in a hard-earned try through a driving maul. 5-0 to Phoenix.

The work rate continued and had the ref understood the scrums Phoenix would have been further ahead. At 15 minutes Alex Jones got injured and Tim Schofield came on for his season debut. Pressure was on Phoenix's line and a missed tackle tied the score 5-5.

At half time Phoenix definitely looked to be winning the game and Jones came back on. At this stage, the forwards through hard work were winning a lot of ball but unfortunately Phoenix could not get the backs mobilised. Dave McMillan's season debut for the first team was excellent and had some defining runs as well as great defence. Chris Harrison came on for injured scrum half Alex Prentice, and Tony Porter got a bad injury needing Schofield to come back on again.

By this time, fitness started to take its toll on the home team and a few tries were let through. It did not help that the team did not have a proper bench nor that the referee let Hungerford get away with murder at scrum time. Final score was 22 to Hungerford and 5 to Phoenix.

The back row of Tim Morgan, Dave Harris, Tony Porter and loosehead prop Tom Porter were immense and got the vote for men of the match.

Phoenix: E Dibb, R Gill (Capt), Tom Porter, A Jones, L Maundrill, Tony Porter, D Harris, T Morgan; A Prentice, P Byrne, A Campbell, C Soden, C Varey, T Pell, D McMillan

Subs: C Harrison, T Schofield