PHOENIX returned to winning form in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship after a 31-5 victory away at Aldermaston on Saturday.

The Taplow-based club produced arguably their best performance of the season so far in a game that saw them cross the whitewash five times.

Aldermaston were put under pressure straight from the kick-off as the Phoenix pack rumbled forward with a series of strong carries.

Their dominance resulted in a scrum deep in the hosts' 22 from which debutant number eight Pete Chapman bulldozed over for a converted try.

The visitors were soon 12-0 in front after a passing move saw outside centre Bradley Coomber touch down in the corner for his fifth try in three games.

Despite missing two of their first choice front row, the Phoenix pack continued to secure good ball. This dominance up front provided the space to unleash full-back Simon Lerigo to drive over for a well-worked try.

Aldermaston responded with a score of their own as several phases inside the 22 brought them within touching distance of the try line before hooker Luke Lambden crashed over to reduce the arrears.

Any hopes of a comeback for the home side were short-lived as, not long after the break, Coomber broke through a weary-looking defence and offloaded to player-coach Tony Porter for the simplest of scorers.

Phoenix continued to crank up the pressure and kicked to the corner after winning a penalty on the Aldermaston 22.

From the resulting lineout, the forwards and backs combined for a driving maul which saw substitute Mikey Lloyd emerge from a pile of bodies with ball in hand to score the final try.

The win means Phoenix have moved up to fourth position in the league table ahead of a visit to Institute Road from leaders Chipping Norton this Saturday.

In the BBO Premiership, Drifters suffered a third consecutive away defeat when losing 29-22 at Gosford All Blacks on Saturday.

The defeat leaves Drifters in sixth position in the table ahead of a visit to One Pin Lane from Hungerford on Saturday 1st December.