PHOENIX RFC director of rugby Tim Schofield hopes his side can back-up his confidence in them with a win at Aylesbury Athletic tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

Phoenix suffered a 92-3 drubbing against Tadley last weekend, a victory that secured the Reading side the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier title.

Schofield bemoaned the lack of player availability after the defeat, but believes the result does not justify his team’s performance.

Speaking to the Observer, he said: “We expected to be beaten but it was worse than we anticipated.

“We had more strength in the scrum and the lineout was excellent, but we missed two of our regular backs.

“We could learn a bit from our forwards but the problem in our club is that we don’t have enough backs.

“We are trying to attract four or five decent players but our problem is continuity with training. A lot of people work weekends so that is an issue, it doesn’t make things easy.

“If we had 25 guys available 95 per cent of the time it would become a lot easier.” Tadley certainly had the bit between their teeth as they battered a Phoenix side that had lost 78-0 at Red Lane earlier this season.

The visitors stormed into a 12-0 lead through two tries from centre Gareth Cripps-Jones, one converted by Craig Raymond.

Phoenix replied with a Nigel Coltman penalty but it was their only points of the match.

Tadley were soon back on the rampage as Luke Titley notched a converted score, and then prop Duncan Ewart set up Cripps-Jones for his hat-trick, with Raymond adding the extras for a 26-3 lead.

Tadley were reduced to 14 men when hooker Johnny Berwick received a yellow carded, but they retained control with wing Mark Davies running in a converted try from just inside his own half.

Fellow winger Warwick Brown was next to dab down and he was quickly joined by Jake Cottrell, with Raymond’s conversion putting them 45-3 up at the break.

More of the same followed after the interval as Cripps-Jones notched his fourth try, weaving his way to the line from inside his own 22, Raymond adding the extras.

Phoenix did threaten briefly when their pack was held up over the Tadley line, but the visitors hit back through an unconverted Chris Dennison score in the corner.

Tadley skipper Pete Rosier was next to dab down, and then Davies ran in his second of the game, Raymond converting.

Raymond was also involved in the move which saw Dennison cross for his second try.

Further tries came from substitute Luke Flynn and Ben Anderson, with Raymond converting for a 22-point haul.

The thrashing leaves Phoenix in ninth position and just three points above the relegation places with five weeks of the season remaining.

However, Schofield remains bullish that his side can get the wins they need to secure their Premier status for next season.

“We have got three winable games coming up so I’m not that worried,” he shrugged. “Aylesbury is one of those we are targeting, so I expect to win.

“Their forwards are rubbish so as long as you stick to a gameplan you are guawranteed a win.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**