During the course of the match Pencoed’s optimism was realized in no uncertain terms, with this comprehensive seven-try victory giving the joyous Phoenix players their first National Premiership win.
Scrambled defence saved Phoenix in the opening minutes when dangerous outside half Rachel Rees almost breaking clear.
It was Phoenix who opened the scoring however, a visitors move breaking down in the home half for rangy second row Charlotte Mundy to hack clear before regathering and an inside pass saw Kathryn Criger racing in under the posts from 35 metres, Sam Trickey adding the extras.
A threatening run from centre Leanne Burnell put Phoenix into the visitors half and following a solid scrum platform the ball was moved wide to Burnell who needed no second invitation, stepping the cross field cover before racing in from 40 metres for a 12-0 home lead.
Phoenix were now beginning to play with confidence, moving the ball wide from recycled possession before Nerys Lloyd caught the visitors defence flat with a well judged kick ahead to regather and cross under the posts, Trickey converting to take Phoenix into a 19-0 lead and unknown territory against their far more experienced visitors at this level.
Approaching the interval with Phoenix deep in their own 22 and with home support conscious of the need to protect their lead, suddenly the ball broke to Burnell who put on the after burners to scorch away from 80 metres leaving the desperate visitors cover for dead, Trickey converted and Phoenix led 26-0 at half time.
Phoenix increased their lead in the opening minutes of the second period, moving the ball wide again to Burnell who kicked ahead into the visitors half for the chasing Amy Stevens to gather the high bouncing ball on the run to crash over, Trickey converting to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.
To their credit Seven Sisters came back strongly, their big pack led by Welsh International Bethan Howells pounding the home line, desperate last ditch tackles from Hannah Brunskill and Mundy keeping them out, before No8 Stevens relieved pressure with a fine clearance from near her own line.
The visitors returned to the home line and despite courageous Phoenix defence Joanna Owen crashed over for a deserved score. Any thoughts of a match turn around were soon dispelled with Phoenix full back Hannah Whittingham taking centre stage with two tries, put in possession in broken play on both occasions the slightly built Whittingham shrugged of a number of would be tacklers before racing away from 40 and 60 metres respectively to score, Trickey adding both conversions.
Sandwiched between home tries and following try saving tackles from Lisa Hughes and Mundy, Howells had crashed over for a try converted by Rees, but Phoenix on this occasion were not to be denied and ran out emphatic winners.
Nerys Lloyd was chosen Phoenix Player of the match by her opponents with Hannah Whittingham the choice of her Phoenix team mates. Bethan Howells chosen by Phoenix as the Seven Sisters Player of the match.
Phoenix executed their game plan well during this match, moving their bigger opponents around the park and releasing their own quick players to devastating effect. The Phoenix camp can take confidence from arguably their best performance since their 2010 inception, and on Sunday travel to league leaders Skewen, formerly Neath Athletic in the National Premiership, KO 2.30 pm.
