PHOENIX returned to winning form in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship after an impressive 29-0 win against Harwell on Saturday.

The league leaders entertained Harwell at their Institute Road base and the top-of-the-table clash was going to be their hardest game of the season thus far.

Phoenix, who had a disappointing result against their old rivals Farnham Royal in the previous game, were out to get their winning run back on track.

They worked on their defence in readiness for the game with a good training session with the London Irish coaches, who came down to give some very valid pointers.

Phoenix opened the scoring when their hooker took the ball against the head and moved it quickly into open play with good support runners, and number eight Ian Watkinson went over for the try.

The home team were now beginning to dominate in every department and it was not long before they breeched the Harwell line yet again.

Collins managed to re-gather the ball, step his winger and run around the full-back for a well finished try - and a 10-0 lead.

From a Phoenix scrum on the halfway line a backs move saw full-back Austin Leavy hit the line at pace and dive in the corner for a third try.

The conversion from Jason Townsend stretched the hosts' lead to 17-0.

Phoenix wanted more and went searching for the fourth try and bonus point, which was secured by Watkinson before the half-time interval.

After John Winters was held up just short of the line, Watkinson picked the ball from the assuming ruck, drove and crossed over for his second score.

Both sides made changes at the break and the game became a lot tighter than the first-half, with Phoenix momentum restricted.

However, yet another good run from the backs and a drive from the forwards saw scrum-half Dave Harris force his way over for a fifth try.

The conversion from Townsend completed a very strong all-round performance and a very pleasing win against second-in-the-table Harwell.

The win stretches their lead at the top of the table by five points ahead of a trip to second-from-bottom Oxford this Saturday (2.15pm).

Farnham Royal saw their match away at Didcot postponed due to a waterlogged pitch last weekend.

Royals, now third in the table and 10 points behind Phoenix, host sixth-placed Berkshire Shire Hall this Saturday (2.15pm).