Littlemore 0 Pts v Phoenix 48 Pts

Phoenix started the new year off with a convincing bonus point win in the BB&O Premier League over fellow strugglers Littlemore in an entertaining encounter at Oxford Academy.

The match started with the wind and slope in Phoenix’s favour and the team was immediately on top, with the forwards dominating the scrum and the backs dominating contact out wide. Tony Porter scored the first try for Phoenix after pressure in the Littlemore 22, the conversion taking the score to 7-0 Phoenix. Nigel Coltman scored next after a strong driving maul from the Phoenix pack, and the score was 12-0 within the first 10 minutes. With Littlemore struggling to contain the Phoenix pack and the Phoenix backs making strong yards when fed the ball, Littlemore had very little attacking play. But when they did make it into the Phoenix 22, the defence stood tall and snuffed out any Littlemore attacks on the try line. Following a Coltman penalty that stretched the lead to 15-0, Willem Botes scored a pushover try as the Phoenix scrum had the Littlemore scrum stumbling backwards over their line. 22-0. And as the game approached halftime, Phoenix began to use its backs to more effect, first with James Richardson rounding his opposite number in midfield, and then Chris Varey with a jinking run in open play. Both tries were converted to give a halftime score of 36-0.

Littlemore started the second half with greater determination and, with the wind behind them, were a far trickier proposition than in the one-way first half. Even though the Phoenix pack were still dominating in the set plays, Littlemore were more than holding their own in open play, and used their older, heavier pack to good effect. However, with a very one-dimensional approach, this was easily defended by Phoenix. Phoenix finally broke through with a try from a driving maul by Coltman, and with Littlemore’s great second half spirit now broken, Richardson scored his second try from less than a foot out, following some strong driving play towards the Littlemore try line. The final try converted to give a final score of 48-0.

Phoenix Director of Rugby was pleased with the team performance, as many of the new techniques that the club has been working on in training were used to good effect on the day. Tony Porter was named Man of the Match for his strong tackling in defence and great running and link play with the backs in attack.

Phoenix continues its league campaign with a match away against Wheatley, 2.30pm this Saturday 17th January.

Phoenix: Tom Porter (Capt), Lloyd, Sean Flynn, Wincomb, Coltman, Willis, Tony Porter, Botes; Harris, Roche, Kilby, Richardson, Varey, Nathan, Philpot

Subs: Brickley, Lunn