Reading Abbey 69 Pts v Phoenix 0 Pts

With a commitment to putting out 2 teams on a double league weekend, Phoenix approached last Saturday’s match with a small squad of 16, quickly reduced to 15 when the only substitute managed to pull his back getting out of his car in the parking lot. Reading Abbey showed its class very quickly in the match and showed why they must be favourites to win the league this year. Tries came at relatively regular intervals in the first half, although Phoenix should be proud that they only conceded 2 tries during the 20 minutes that fly half Paul Byrne was off the pitch with an injured ankle. Credit must go to Byrne who came back on even though his ankle was far from 100%, and although Phoenix at no point threw in the towel, the going was tough, with Reading Abbey’s well-drilled forward unit pressuring the Phoenix set pieces winning numerous scrums and lineouts against the head/throw. And when the ball was spread to the Abbey backs, they were able to often break through in midfield and out wide, again showing their superiority to the Phoenix backs.

The match score ended up 69-0 with 11 tries scored and 7 conversions. Phoenix did have one last chance to score at the death of the game, but outside centre James Richardson was turned over driving for the line with the 80 minutes gone.

Phoenix should feel heartened that they fought for the full 80 minutes but were ultimately outclassed by a superior Reading Abbey team. In fact, an RFU assessor on hand commented, “Even though your team was on the receiving end of a large defeat, I feel a lot of credit should be given to the players for their attitude in that: they always tried to play rugby; they did not give up competing and never made it easy for Abbey; and they always tried to be positive and did not go into “damage limitation” mode."

This Saturday Phoenix looks to get its league season on track with a local derby against Slough at Institute Road. Kick off 3pm – all spectators welcome.

Phoenix: Tom Porter (Capt), Hilling, Dibb, Botes, Abblott, Willis, Tony Porter, Maundrill; Pell, Byrne, James Flynn, Bogalski, Richardson, Philpott, Kilby