Phoenix 10 pts Bicester 19 pts

This is probably the toughest end to any season ever for Phoenix partly due to their own success and partly due to the way the league matches have fallen. Three weeks ago Phoenix travelled to Buckingham, a side in the league above (Southern Counties North) Phoenix and lost narrowly in the Buckinghamshie Shield Competition. Then they travelled to Chipping Norton to take on League Champions Chipping Norton and finally last Saturday they brought their league season to a close with a match against League runners up Bicester – thankfully at Taplow!

With such a finish to the season, injuries became critical to the team’s performance and although the club has reasonable player resources, these three matches tested them to the full.

Bicester were expected to take control of proceedings through their pack and initially they did although within 3 minutes Phoenix had opened their scoring with a fine try by centre Oli Graddon. Bicester kicked through almost to the Phoenix line where full back Bradley Coomber gathered, stepped inside the Bicester attacking forwards and launched a huge kick up field. The Bicester defence gathered and tried to set up an attack but Phoenix centre John Winters cleverly intercepted the pass raced away into the Bicester 22 where he managed to get his pass away under severe pressure from the Bicester cover defence to Oli Graddon who crossed under the postes. Coltman converted and Phoenix were in the lead which they were to hold until the second half. Phoenix flanker Neil Dove suffered a neck injury and was replaced by Paul Devlin after just 5 minutes play. The Bicester pack began to control proceedings and Phoenix found themselves playing most of the match inside their own half. Bicester drove for the line but were held up and shortly afterwards put over a penalty goal to reduce their arrears. A second penalty goal to Bicester put the visitors just one point behind Phoenix. A couple of unfortunate decisions then seemed to rouse the Phoenix forwards and the Bicester pack suddenly found themselves with less control and Phoenix began to gain territory. Serasac Tongchumsaeng was replaced by Jason Townsend on the Phoenix wing late in the first half. A penalty in front of the posts was put over by Nigel Coltman to extend Phoenix’ lead to 4 points as the first half came to a close.

The restart saw Bicester again assert themselves up front and Phoenix were on the back foot almost immediately and Bicester drove and drove until their No. 8 was able to crash over for their first try of the match. But Phoenix were not out of this match at all with Bicester just a single point ahead. A penalty goal took Phoenix into the Bicester 22 and from the lineout where Matt Symmonds, a product of the Phoenix youth section who also won Phoenix's man of the match award, was taking control of the Lineout ball, they drove strongly but were unable to break through the strong Bicester pack. A defensive error by Phoenix gifted bicester the ball 10 meters out from the Phoenix line and Bicester crossed for their second try to establish a 6 point lead. Adam McMillan on the Phoenix wing drove well and prevented a couple of tries with his strength and pace. But Phoenix were finding it difficult to break down the Bicester defence. A third penalty goal for the visitors put the game beyond Phoenix but it was Phoenix who ended the match pressing inside the Bicester 22 after a lovely break from scrum half Weeraphon Tongchumsaeng and Matt Hood. In the end Bicester proved just a little too strong for Phoenix but at 19 points to 10, Phoenix can look forward to next season with confidence.