Phoenix 24 Pts v Littlemore 20 Pts

What can be said? The game started at a frantic pace and did not stop for 80 minutes. Phoenix scored its first try after 5 minutes from 1 of only 2 mauls in the entire game. The line out was taken cleanly 7 yards out and a clinical maul saw Tom Porter driven over the line. With the conversion added from a difficult angle by Nigel Coltman, Phoenix were 7 -0 up.

Some fierce tackling by Phoenix kept them moving forward and it never looked like they would lose the game, but the pace of the game was at times crazed. Phoenix added to its lead with a try from Luke Maundrill. Littlemore hit back with a try and then a penalty to bring the scores to within 6 points, 14-8 at halftime.

In the second half, Phoenix were very quickly up by 13 points, with Bradley Coomber taking a decisive line and being released by Dave Harris to score under the posts. Nigel Coltman converted, and with a further penalty taking the score to 24-8, Phoenix looked like they were home and free.

However Littlemore struck back, exposing Phoenix on the right wing. With the try unconverted, Phoenix's lead was reduced to 25-13. Littlemore continued to push hard and in the dying minutes of the game scored a try by the posts and, with the ensuing conversion sailing through the uprights, the final score was 24-20. Ultimately way too close for comfort especially in a game that Phoenix could easily have won by a large margin

Phoenix Director of Rugby commented, "As individuals we all played really well and I witnessed some outstanding tackles, runs etc. But as a team we were distinctly average."

This Saturday, 29th March, Phoenix travel to Chesham RFC with whom they are level on points, and ahead in the league table on wins.

Phoenix: Tom Porter, Richardson, Dibb, Coltman, Wincomb, Willis, Tony Porter, Maundrill; Harris, Roche, Kilby, Kalafusz, Varey, Prentice, Coomber

Subs: Dainty, D McMillan, Lloyd