Nat O Shea opened the scoring for Phoenix after 10 minutes, storming away from around halfway to score, Leanne Burnell adding the extras.
The visitors response was immediate, Lucy Edwards getting the first of what was to be an impressive hat trick. Phoenix loose head prop Lucy Cahill then drove over following sustained driving play from the home pack.
Phoenix increased their lead, scrum half Sarah Payne crossing from a quick tap penalty. On the stroke of half time Abergele got their second try through Sophie Edwards to peg Phoenix’s lead to 17-12 at the interval.
The home side restarted well and Cahill got her second try. Sustained Phoenix pressure was soon rewarded, hooker Rose Lubin getting her first Phoenix try much to her obvious delight, Burnell adding a fine conversion.
Abergele stayed in touch with a try from Emma Parry. The home side then appeared to have settled matters with a sixth try from back row forward Amy Morgan to lead 34-17 going into the final five minutes of normal time.
However the North Walian side had other ideas and finished the match strongly, Lucy Edwards completing her hat trick with two further tries and with Beth Roe adding the extras at 34-31 it was now anyone’s match. The home support were to endure some anxious final moments before hanging on to a nail-biting victory.
For Abergele Chelsea Simmonds Robert’s and Beth Row were chosen as best forward and back respectively while for Phoenix Lucy Cahill was chosen best forward and Leanne Burnell best back.
Phoenix U18 and U15 met the Jesters from the Dragons region and lost 7-14 at U18 level before winning 41-31 at U15 level.
