Phoenix 5 Pts v Gosford All Blacks 61 Pts

A Phoenix team showing 6 changes from last weekend (and with a backline far from first choice) failed to get going early, with Gosford scoring five tries in the first 25 minutes.

The first try came on 10 minutes, with Gosford’s fly half Harry Sutton starting a move that saw the Phoenix centre defence breached and number eight Conor Hatton score near the posts. The try was converted for a 7-0 Gosford lead. The second try followed 5 minutes later when a loose call was recovered by Gosford near the Phoenix line and the inside centre Chris Bennett dived over for an unconverted try, 12-0 to Gosford. Three minutes later Phoenix’s wide defence, was comprehensibly pulled apart by a slick passing move, again instigated by Harry Sutton, that saw winger Ben Bodingham score a further unconverted try (17-0). Phoenix were again undone by a wide Gosford backs move that was stopped 4 metres out, but from the resulting rolling maul flanker Oliver Highton scored his debut try. This was yet again unconverted to leave the score 22-0 after 22 minutes. Gosford’s fifth try was scored 3 minutes later, as yet another wide back move instigated by Harry Sutton saw outside centre Andy Schwarz score the first of his three tries (27-0). A 30th minute injury to Harry Sutton took Gosford’s playmaker out of the game, and although Gosford scored two more tries through Oliver Highton and Ben Bodinham to take the score to 39-0 at half-time, the loss of their playmaker forced Gosford into a less expansive game in the second half.

Andy Schwarz scored his second try on 45 minutes, and ten minutes later added his hat trick try off a sweeping move through Phoenix’s cover defence to leave the score 51-0 with 25 minutes to play. After a further try from Gosford, Phoenix finally registered its first try through a direct run and drive from veteran fly half Jon Winters. With a final Gosford try through another well worked move through the back line, the final score was 61-5 to seal the resounding victory for the visiting side.

Although Phoenix had an understrength side out, Gosford were good for their comfortable win. However with many more squad members available this weekend, Phoenix will be hoping to put this loss behind them as they seek their first league win away at Hungerford this Saturday.

Phoenix: S Flynn, Tom Porter (Capt), Dibb, Ablott, Williams, Botes, Brickley, Maundrill; Dean, Winters, Bouakra, Richardson, Kilby, Lloyd, J Flynn

Subs: A Castle-Mason, D Symonds