Nevertheless, this brought little comfort to a Phoenix squad battling against an unprecedented injury list, and meeting a much changed Blaenau Gwent combination from the team defeated by 29 points to 10 some five weeks ago.
With the home side dominating possession in the opening half Phoenix players who did well were Hannah Brunskill at the lineout, Leanne Burnell, Amy Stevens who was later forced from the field of play with what looked like another bad injury, & Jade Mullen in spasmodic Phoenix attacks, with Mullen free from Army activities putting in a number of big defensive hits !
The home side had used their possession well throughout the the half with full back Weybrow getting two of their three first half tries.
B.G continued on the attack at the start of the second half and Phoenix full back Lauren Aitken did well to stop a home back row forward on the charge metres from her own line before again popping up to clear her lines with a good 30 metre touch find. Phoenix hit back with a superb try, blindside wing Burnell splitting the home midfield before the supporting Mel Clay put Mullen in possession and the centre raced away from 35 metres to score out wide.
Unfortunately for Phoenix they were to lose their own lineout in their 22 and with their defensive alignment behind caught out by this conceded a fourth try. Phoenix then enjoyed their best period of the match with Becca Pope, Stevens, & Clay handling to almost work Burnell in at the corner flag. Aitken then reduced the B.G. lead with a brilliant solo effort from some 75 metres, initially retrieving a kick, before counter attacking and outpacing several home defenders down the left hand touchline for arguably the try of the match.
Phoenix captain Lowri Reeves, Katie Murphy and Natalie O’Shea were as competitive in the contact area as ever, however with the loss of Murphy and Stevens to injury Phoenix were unable to hold the strong finishing B.G. side and succumbed to a final scoreline of 39-10. Young Osprey second row Charlotte Mundy and flanker Debra Evans were also competitive throughout for Phoenix.
Phoenix now have a break from league fixtures for Regional rugby, and hopefully the regional aspirants within the squad will do well, and experience better luck with injury than of late. Blaenau gwent choose ladies of match as Leanne Burnell and Natalie O’Shea.
