Phoenix 15 Pts v Wheatley 34 Pts

Phoenix approached this league fixture with probably its strongest team they have been able to name to date, and had hoped to get its league campaign back on track after two heavy defeats in its first two matches.

Phoenix started the game strongly, using both forward drives and backs moves to put Wheatley on the back foot. However, the wet conditions did not help handling on both sides, and numerous balls were dropped or lost forward by both teams as they battled for superiority. Wheatley’s defence proved strong and after 15 minutes Phoenix only had a 3-0 lead to show for its efforts, a penalty kicked by Nigel Coltman. By now, the heavy rain had turned to hail, continuing to make conditions difficult underfoot on the saturated field. This seemed to drain the confidence and cohesiveness from the Phoenix team, as much as it seemed to lift Wheatley, and once the showers had stopped, it was Wheatley who grabbed the game by the throat. First, a slip under the posts from the Phoenix defence let in the Wheatley full back for a try under the posts. 7-3 Wheatley after 20 minutes. This was closely followed by another try by the posts, when the Wheatley inside centre was gifted a gap and made no mistakes in finishing off the score, 14-3. Phoenix had a chance to peg back 3 points, but unfortunately the long penalty attempt was short and Wheatley was able to clear its lines. Wheatley then scored a third un-answered try in the corner after turnover ball in the middle of the field – the outside centre scoring in the corner.

The second half started with Phoenix down 19-3, and soon Wheatley effectively put the game out of reach with a bonus point fourth try, 24-3. Phoenix attempted a rather belated comeback at this point, and after some repeated pressure from the forwards, Paul Hilling scored a push over try from a lineout. Phoenix was now within two tries of Wheatley, with the score 24-10. However, Wheatley upped its game again for a period, and after some strong forward drives, the Captain and Number 8 was able to cross the line. 29-10. This spurred Phoenix back into action and after another period of pressure in the Wheatley 22, Edd Dibb drove over from a tapped penalty, with the score again reduced to a 2 try defecit – 29-15. However with time running out, Wheatley scored its sixth try through a well worked backs break that saw the scrum half score. Final score – 34-15.

Phoenix will rue that it could not continue the game as it started it and, although Wheatley were ultimately deserved winners, the game could and should have been a closer affair. Phoenix Director of Rugby Tim Shofield commented, “It was a hard day at the office for us on Saturday – very hard to pinpoint what went wrong as we had a good team out, but ultimately things just didn’t gel.” Phoenix continues its league campaign this Saturday away at Reading Abbey.

Phoenix: Tom Porter (Capt), Hilling, Dibb, Coltman, Jones, Botes, Willis, Brickley; Harris, Coomber, Kilby, Winters, Varey, Flynn, Richardson

Subs: Philpott, Wincomb