This Saturday saw the unveiling of the new ‘Regent-Kinetica’ kit and the visit to Castle Park of bottom placed side Halifax Vandals. The result was Phoenix staking second spot in the league courtesy of Aireborough dropping a point to Leeds Corinthians and a workman like 38-6 victory at home.
Changes included French coming for warhorse Farley (who is now an impact player!) and old boy Harrison on his inaugural outing for season 2005/6 courtesy of Burton who chipped an ankle bone in training, the rest of the side remained the same as the week previous.
It was Phoenix who started off strongest gaining the upper hand in the scrum and battering the Vandals half in the set allowing the backs to gain yards. Hence it wasn’t long before the visitors capitulated and were penalised close out on two occasions to allow the boot of Poskitt to profit in the form of six points.
With the forwards dominant it was inevitable that a score would follow. This came courtesy of Elliot picking the ball up twenty out seeing the gap and going blind to pop to a grateful Poskitt on the wing 11-0.
The next score soon followed from Poskitt’s counterpart, Meadows on the opposite wing when the ball was again spun wide with the Vandals defence getting a hand to the ball only to spill it over the line allowing Meadows to add a further five points.
With ten minutes remaining Phoenix then took their foot off the pedal and allowed a grateful Vandals to set up a few attacks of their own assisted by the slope and elements. Despite not breaching home defence they profited from two penalties and a glimmer that they could get back into the game on half time 16-6.
With the playing conditions now in Phoenix’s favour and a pointing out of the error of their ways from Coach Senior, the home side used the slope to gain territory advantage. Vandal’s defence resulted in a scrum in their favour ten out. With pack dominance established the scrum was spoiled to allow the impressive Greenslade to pounce on the ball at the back break and pop to a supporting Germaine from No 8 to go over, Poskitt adding his first conversion.
Phoenix secured another through Lowcock at centre bulldozing his way under the sticks and Elliot capping the day with a fine individual effort again using his vision to break the gap and evade Vandals defence, Poskitt adding a further penalty and conversion to make the final tally of the day 38 for no further reply.
This was an expected victory based on the current league standings and consolidated Phoenix’s point’s difference over Aireborough. However the hard work now starts here! over the next four weeks they encounter Hull opposition in the form of Hessle next week, and then Hullensians in the cup and league finishing off on the 10th December against currently unbeaten Old Otliensians.
The Phoenix second string also recorded an impressive 40-point victory at Vandals with Ray Parnell scoring a 75m-interception try and Brookfield playing a blinder at prop! |
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