The ongoing search for Phoenix first win of the season goes on as they lost once again, going down 7-52 to high flying Scarborough in an early kick-off at Castle Park.

The game was played in non-stop rain for the full 80 minutes yet both sides put in a full shift and the final score does not reflect the hard work and effort put in by the Phoenix lads.

The visitors took to the early start best running into a 0-12 lead after only ten minutes but it was Phoenix who with a good share of position and possession just could not get over the line, the Scarborough defence held out for a good ten plus minutes during the middle of the half.

However they did add another converted try just before the break to take a 0-19 lead into half-time. Despite the score line the Phoenix defence had generally been good also spoiling a number of attacks - though a couple of errors lead to the visitors score.

Phoenix needed a good start to the second period but it wasn't to be as Scarborough once again added two early converted tries to stretch their lead to 0-33 and with take the game out of reach of Phoenix.

The home side did show promise and were constantly attacking the visitors line, often due to penalties being conceded - but again could just not force their way over.

Scarborough in comparison were ruthless in attack and when the breaks came they took their chances adding three more tries, two converted to reach 0-52 but Phoenix celebrated with the last score of the game. Again persistent attacks by the home side and penalties given away by the visitors lead to a quick tap and go by the forwards and eventually Fraser Leiper (pictured) crashed over by the posts, Luke Cade added the extras to give a final score of 7-52.

So, another defeat for the young Phoenix side, but if games were decided on effort and hard work then the score would have been much closer, especially if a couple of the concerted attacks had been converted into tries as well.

On Sunday the Demons Seconds were narrowly squeezed out 12-10 away at Paviors - but at least picked up a losing bonus point which sees them move up to second place in the Women's NC3 Midlands (North) table.