Slough 15 Pts v Phoenix 13 Pts

On a wet and blustery day, Phoenix went away and played Slough. Unfortunately a few regulars were unavailable through sickness or injury, but the club still managed to put together 2 teams although both with only 1 sub.
Slough kicked off with the wind behind them and managed to capitalise on a typical slow start by Phoenix, scoring an unconverted try. Phoenix had fantastic scrums and should have been awarded a penalty try when the Phoenix scrum was clearly pushing Slough over their try line only for the scrum half to kick it out of from the back rows’ feet. The penalty awarded instead was duly put over, making the score 5-3. The Phoenix lineouts worked really well and James Dean at hooker did an excellent job of throwing in despite the gale force winds at times. Phoenix had some great driving mauls really controlling the pace and direction, winning a number of penalties as a result. Dave Harris at scrum half was instrumental in ensuring the communication amongst the forwards was clear during these phases. Although another penalty was awarded as a consequence of Phoenix’s dominance in the maul, the wind unfortunately took the resulting kick wide, denying the visiting team the opportunity to go ahead. Slough scored another unconverted try before the half through a well-worked backs move, making the score 10-3 at the interval.
Captain Tom Porter gave a great talk at the half time pointing out the need for more urgency at the ruck and the game was very much there for the taking. Consequently Phoenix applied a lot of pressure in the 2nd half although unfortunately for 20 minutes got frustrated and did not clear their lines properly. Added to this, the roaring gale of the first half had dropped and did not give the visiting team the same advantage as Slough had enjoyed in the first half. Slough again scored a well worked backs try to make the score 15-3. Nigel Coltman slotted a 2nd penalty to reduce the arrears to 15-6, but by the time Phoenix started to play some cohesive rugby, it was too little too late, and although Simon Kalafusz scored a converted try, this proved to be the last move of the game, and the match was lost 15-13.
There were some noteworthy performances including: James Dixon coming back from injury and putting a great effort in at loose head prop; Tom Porter as always led from the front with confidence; James Dean playing most of the game with a dead leg and showing his worth to the 1st XV; Alan Bird playing the last 20 minutes with only 1 eye working; Dave Harris, giving great service at scrum half showing his experience in this position; and Jamie Willis filling in at inside centre and not looking at all out of place.
Phoenix: James Dixon, James Dean, Tom Porter (Cap), Neil Wincomb, Nigel Coltman, Mikey Lloyd, Iain Watkinson, Luke Maundrill; Dave Harris, Kieran Roche, Jack Dainty, Jamie Willis, Simon Kalafusz, John Kilby, James Richardson
Subs: Alan Bird