Phoenix 2nd team started December with a local derby against Slough. The corresponding fixture earlier in the season had been one sided with Phoenix putting 50+ points on their rivals at home. Since then Slough have found their feet in the league and this game was going to be a tight battle.

Phoenix started brightly which has been the pattern in recent matches. Driving power in the middle of the field from the forwards making ground from our strong back row and in particular Dan Symonds and Keith Nash.

The handling wasn't quite firing and Slough were feeding off mistakes and turnovers with their 10 probing the defence with kicks in behind. Phoenix were also trying to look for gaps with their 10 Ben Wood dancing and side stepping and finding gaps. This was the pattern for nearly 30 minutes without either side making the killer blow. In that time however Phoenix lost a key player in the form of Keith Nash to a shoulder injury and with that lost the edge at ruck time.

Just after the 30 minute mark it was the home side that would finally break the deadlock. For the first time in the half the Slough forwards made multiple phase ball count, Phoenix being caught narrow and slough moved the ball quickly to the pace on the wing and crossed the line for the opening score. conversion was also taken to make the score 7-0.

Slough sensed Phoenix were affected by the try and right from the kick off tried for another crucial score before half time. Big impact up the middle from the Slough number 8 followed by quick ball to their impressive 10 and he saw a gap. Jinking past the first line of defence and leaving the full back to beat he stepped and rounded the last defender for a another Slough score. 14-0 at the break.

Phoenix needed to re-group, a lot of positives from the first half but too often by individuals rather than teamwork. Phoenix needed to start playing off their strong scrum and play in the Slough half.

Second half and the message had made it through to the team at half time. Phases were starting to mount with the pressure on home team starting to show. The scrum platform was giving good ball to the backs and only last ditch tackles were stopping the away side from getting back in the game.

On 60 minutes the effort were rewarded, a line out, two phases on the 15 and then the ball was moved out wide for a score in the corner from veteran winger Martin Aldridge and Phoenix were back in the game 14-5 with the conversion only just missing from out wide.

Time was now ticking away and Phoenix had put so much in to getting their first score that Slough were feeding off gaps on the counter attack. Another key player lost to injury with Dan Symonds leaving the field and then from a positive position on the Slough 10 metre the ball was lost and shipped quickly to the Slough winger who quickly got up to speed. After tired missed tackles, the winger cut in from the touch line at speed went 60 metres for a game winning score under the posts. 21-5.

The last 10 minutes were played out with spilled ball and tired slow ball from both teams as all players had put in so much in to the first 70 minutes that everyone was out on their feet.

Final score 21-5 to the home team. For Phoenix its back to the training park to work on turning individual skill into a team performance. Positives and heart all over the pitch just the application was lacking. Man of the match returning from injury Andy Shaw who was at every breakdown and securing good ball for the team all day.