Phoenix lose Bucks Shield final for third year running

For the third time in succession, and always at an away ground, Phoenix RFC finished as runners-up in the Buckinghamshire Shield after losing a tight match to Amersham & Chiltern on Saturday.

Phoenix brought more than 100 supporters to the match which was not decided until the final minutes.

After an even start to the match, the hosts took the lead through a penalty in front of the posts and then extended this to eight points when they took a scrummage against the head inside the Phoenix 22 and squeezed over in the corner.

Phoenix hit back when a quickly-taken penalty by Herd saw Phoenix driving into the 22 and up to the line where lock Neil Wyncombe stretched over for the score to reduce the deficit.

Phoenix's progress outside of the scrum was limited, but in the loose they made telling inroads.

However despite this, and with the wind at their backs, Phoenix were unable to add to their score before the break.

The second half got underway with Phoenix in the ascendancy with Rob Mitchell leading the charge in the scrum and some useful kicks into the box from Harris keeping the pressure on Amersham.

Phoenix kept the ball in hand and drove and recycled well rarely using the three-quarters. However, the Amersham defence held firm and used the wind to clear their lines.

With eight minutes remaining Amersham got the crucial next score. The ball squirted out of the side of the loose and was moved quickly down the line for a try in the corner.

Phoenix kept going but failed to make much headway, and eventually Amersham capped things with a final try beneath the posts in injury-time.