| 1stXV 25, Market Bosworth 19, Sat Apr 12 |
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Ampthill welcomed opponents Market Bosworth on a bright & breezy day where Dillingham Park was surrounded by heavy showers which fortunately failed to produce any rain until well after the game, for the last home league fixture of the season. The A's squad showed some welcome continuity with only 2 changes to the starting 15 from the Derby game.
Amps started well putting pressure on the visitors inside their 22 and on 4 mins after several phases Jon Raven scored wide on the right well converted by Kieron Davies playing at inside centre. However, despite being in control territorially the home sides forwards knew they were in a contest and the backs error free performance against Derby was not being replicated! Eventually Kieron Davies converted a penalty goal on 32 mins but Bosworth were increasingly in the game and with Amps reduced to 14 players by a Nick Lewis yellow card the visitors scored an unconverted forwards try in injury time from close range leaving the score 10-5 at half time.
The second period began as the first had finished with Bosworth using their forwards and man advantage to score a converted try on 43 mins. Restored to full strenth Ampthill promptly gave away an interception try from their opponents 22, successfully converted. At 10-19 down the A's supporters were concerned but on 60 mins replacement centre Giles Witheat stretched out an arm to score a try again converted by Kieron Davies followed on 63 mins by a Davies penalty goal making the score 20-19. A tight game was settled in the 77th minute when Number 8 Phil Lane touched down a pushover try from a 5m scrum which was unconverted.
Ampthill's next and last league game is away at bottom of the table Melton Mowbray on the 19th of April.
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| Derby 10 1stXV 18, Sat Mar 29 |
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Ampthill's trip up the M1 began in bright sunshine, sadly as Watford (Gap) disappeared south in the rear view mirror the sky was overcast and the first of several showers was adding its contents to the already saturated surroundings, fortunately the strong wind kept them moving! Apparently Derby County's home game was the reason for the last three miles of the journey taking 35 mins! This weeks squad rotation (sic) saw four changes in the pack and two in the backs.
Playing against the wind in the first half Amps forwards took control of the tight and the back row won more than their share of ball at the breakdown. The backs controlled the ball provided by the forwards with intelligent kicking and strong running. In short the team performance was as good as any this season. Ampthill's first try came after multiple phases inside Derby's 22 saw A's fullback score wide on the left. The second came from pick and goes by the forwards with the Number 8 touching down. With both conversions missed in the wind the score at half time remained 0-10.
The second half began with Ampthill pressurising the home sides goal line, from the umpteenth ruck the scrum half picked up and touched down for an unconverted try. A's fly half then converted a penalty goal leaving Derby requiring at least three scores. The home side woke up and scored two good unconverted trys, one from the forwards and one from the backs, running the ball from deep and generally throwing caution to the wind. Good job there wasn't enough time for them to score two more!
Ampthill's next game is at home to Market Bosworth on the 12th of April.
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| Hinckley 28 1stXV 9, Sat Mar 08 |
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Ampthill travelled to Hinckley on an overcast day that threatened but never quite produced rain and with a strong wind blowing from one end of the pitch. The squad this week was missing three props and a lock from the pack and two backs, the good news was the return from long term injury of speedster James Swinbourne to the bench.
Playing with the wind in the first half Amps began confidently, holding their own in the tight and winning their own ball in the lineout while the back row were prominent at the breakdown.
Almost from the kickoff the referee had his hand in the air for the first of what became an embarrassingly frequent stoppage rate with both sides and sets of supporters at times looking equally bewildered as to the reason.
Kieron Davies first attempt at a penalty goal from 1m inside Hinckley's half and wide on the left fell just short but his second from almost the same spot was good. As expected with the benefit of the wind Ampthill dominated territory but despite creating a number of opportunities failed to cross the goal line due to a combination of good defence from the home side and poor execution, often of the final pass.
Eventually Davies converted a second penalty goal to leave Amps leading 0-6 with 1 min to go to half time. Unfortunately the referee didn't agree and played on for 13 mins during which Hinckley managed to secure the ball inside the visitors 22 for almost the first time in the game and, despite good defence, play continued until the home side scored a pushover try from a lineout. The whistle was blown immediately following the missed convertion leaving the score 5-6 at the half.
The second half was characterised by excellent kicking from Hinckley's fly half, good defence by Ampthill and continued frustrating officiating. Early in the half the two fly halves exchanged penalties with the home side drawing away with a further two penalty goals followed by two converted trys scored in the last quarter. Amps were even denied a consolation try at the death despite the home sides touch judge indicating a good score.
There is nothing one can do after a game like this except acknowledge that the better side won, draw a line under the game and move on.
Ampthill's next game is at away at Derby on the 29th of March.
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| 1stXV 17, Paviors 20, Sat Mar 01 |
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A glorius spring day welcomed visitors Paviors to Dillingham Park spoilt only by a strong wind blowing across the pitch towards the clubhouse. Ampthill's curse of continuity stuck again with six first choice players unavailable, including forced changes on Saturday morning.
Amps began well with the forwards holding their own in the tight and using pick and go tactics to gain ground, in the 2nd min Paviors were penalised in their own half but the wind took the attempted penalty goal wide.
On 15 mins Ampthill drove into the Paviors half and won a 5m lineout, from the catch and drive that resulted hooker Ed Swannick drove blind going through two defenders before scoring a try in the corner, converted from the touch line against the wind by fly half Bruce Thomas.
In the 27th minute the vistors Number 8 broke from the back of a scrum, went through four tackles before offloading to their scrum half who touched down under the posts for a converted try followed in the 40th minute by a successful penalty goal from their fly half making the score 7-10 at the half.
Amps began the 2nd half in determined mood pressurising their opponents with a combination of forward driving and backs hands resulting in the 46th min in a scrum 15m from Paviors line from which scrum half Tom Warfield broke, beat his man and offloaded out of the next tackle to Number 8 Phil Lane to touchdown, Thomas again converting against the wind. Sadly this was almost his last contribution as a pulled hamstring saw him leave the field. In the 58th min Ampthill's blind side flanker Lee Matthews struck a penalty goal from in front of the posts.
In the 63rd minute the visitors Number 8 was again prominent, driving into the home sides 22 allowing their lock to pick up and score a converted try wide on the right.
On 70 mins Amps were reduced to 14 players when lock Nick Lewis received a yellow card for use of the foot at a ruck, excellent defence saw several goal line stands until Paviors were awarded a penalty goal in front of the posts for offside, strangely, the only offside given in the entire second half.
Ampthill's efforts redoubled, they created several scoring opportunities in the last 10 mins (5 mins injury time) but the last pass went astray three times preventing what wopuld have been a deserved win.
Both sides contributed to an excellent game of rugby with forwards and backs producing an entertaining display.
Ampthill's next game is at away at second place Hinckley next week.
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| Newark 18, 1stXV 17, Sat Feb 16 |
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Despite Ampthill's accident delayed coach journey the crisp clear spring like day and excellent Newark facilities offered ideal playing conditions for entertaining rugby.
The A's began the game on the defensive with Newark's forwards in control and their fly half kicking tactically, keeping Amps in their own half for the first 10 mins. In the 10th minute, in what seemed like their first sustained possession , Ampthill's backs combined to move the ball the length of the field resulting in Jon Raven scoring an unconverted try wide on the left.
From the kick off the home side continued to use their forwards in driving mauls and the boot of their fly half to gain territory. In the 17th min Newark were awarded a penalty at a breakdown which their fly half converted from 27m. On 24 mins the home sides right wing then scored an unconverted try after a clearing kick was charged down.
In the 35th minute after A's backs and forwards had combined in several phases another backs move saw right wing Matt Loon come in on the angle, break the tackle of the full back and score under the posts with full back Bruce Thomas converting.
In the 6th minute of extra time at the end of the half, Newark were awarded a disputed penalty on halfway, too much chat saw the ball marched 10m towards the line and the home side's fly half made no mistake leaving the score 11-12 at the half
Ampthill established more control of the game at the start of the second half and, after driving into the Newark 22 a 5m scrum saw Number 8 Phil Lane pick up and drive over to score an unconverted try.
Newark's forwards then mauled and their fly half kicked their way into Amps 22 where after a number of lineouts and scrums had been successfully defended without comment the referee, with no warning, awarded the home side a penalty try in the 60th minute despite there being no imminent danger of a score.
The remaining quarter of the game was played almost entirely in Newark's half, where their increasingly desperate defence saw their blindside hooker receive a yellowcard for persistent offending (this time dropping his bind) and the referee penalise Ampthill for wheeling a succession of 5m scrums despite the ball being at the feet of the Ampthill 8 at the time!
This defeat marked the third time Amps had lost a league game by 1pt and the seventh time by less than one score this season.
Ampthill's next game is at home to Paviors on March 1st.
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| 1stXV 54, Old Northamptonians 20, Sat Feb 09 |
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Ampthill welcomed ONs to a balmy Dillingham Park basking in wall to wall sunshine to face another much changed home side, possibly the strongest side that Amps have fielded this season given the return from inury of key players and the debut of new signings Kieron Davies & Tom Willams from Luton.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with Ampthill's latest backrow combination prominent while the backs settled down in their new combinations. On 8 mins quick ball from a ruck saw wing Matt Loon step his man wide on the right and score under the posts converted by Kieron Davies at fly half.
ONs responded on 10 mins with a converted try following an Ampthill turnover in their 22, in the 13th min Davies converted a penalty goal from 40m and on 17 mins his perfectly weighted cross field kick saw Loon gather and score an unconverted try in the corner.
In the 25th min ONs converted a penalty goal from 25m followed in the 29th min by Davies returning the compliment, this time from 35m. ONs converted another penalty goal on 31 mins from 35m, from the restart Amps captain Danny Philips received a 10 min rest after the ref objected to a high tackle.
In the 33rd min Ampthill's tight head prop Phil Donbavand scored a converted try following a 40m break from a lineout by number 8 Phil Lane whose pass just inside the 22 saw Donbers with much to do as, little legs a blur, he carried two defenders over the line to the left of the posts. Davies converted another penalty goal on 37 mins leaving the score 28-13 at the half.
The second half started with the by now unusual sight of a Davies penalty goal attempt hitting the upright but was followed in the 49th min by a try after substitute hooker Ed Swanick collected a loose ball and gave the scoring pass to openside Josh Stafford, converted by Davies.
In the 52nd min, virtually straight from the kickoff Ampthill lock Nick Lewis broke the line in mid field gaining 30m before setting up a ruck from which centre Jon Raven finished off a flowing backs move wide on the left with Davies again securing the extra points.
On 59 mins an altercation between Amps Phil Donbavand and a visiting lock, apparently about hair colour, saw the former receive a yellow card and the latter red.
On 70 mins good handling from Ampthill saw Matthews score his second, this time unconverted, try. In the 78th min ONs scored a converted try wide on the right.
In the 3rd min of injury time Amps scored possibly the try of the season after sensational passing from the backs gave Raven a straight run in for his second converted try leaving the score 54-20 to the home side.
By far the best performance of the season, Ampthill's latest recruits blended well with backs and forwards combining for some, at times, sublime rugby. The experienced Kieron Davies, on debut, scored 19pts and directed the game giving confidence to those around him, Bruce Thomas playing at full back for the first time, not only made two last ditch try saving tackles but also offered a threat when joining the line and Tom Williams showed his versatility playing both sides of the scrum. All in all a feast for the watching Vice Presidents and guests at the members lunch.
Our thanks and best wishes go to hooker Michael Hollister who sets off on his world travels next week, see you next season.
Ampthill travel to Newark next week, the coach will leave at 10:30.
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| Syston 8, 1stXV 3, Sat Jan 26 |
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Ampthill travelled to Syston eager to continue the trend of reversing narrow defeats sustained earlier in the season, sadly coming away with yet another narrow defeat (the 5th this season by less than a score). The curse of this season continued with yet another much changed side (8 changes in the squad, 3 positional).
Played in excellent conditions on a good pitch with a fairly strong cross wind the home side began by camping in the Amps half with their fly half and full back using the wind intelligently while Ampthill struggled to show cohesion up front. After 6 mins of sustained pressure but excellent goal line defence Syston's fly half popped over a simple drop goal.
Syston's forwards had Ampthill's scrum under pressure, both sides were disrupting the others lineout and there appeared to be no great advantage in maul and loose to either pack. In the backs Amps defence prevented Syston from breaking the gain line ball in hand but their excellent kicking continually put the visitors under pressure, in attack Ampthill showed, with what little ball they were allowed, that they were a threat. Despite much effort from both sides the score remained 3-0 at half time.
The second half continued the pattern of the first until the 65th min when the home side were awarded an unconverted pushover try from a 5m lineout despite no Ampthill player engaging with the resulting non maul. Amps responded almost immediately with Bruce Thomas converting a penalty goal from directly in front of the posts after a succession of penalties had been awarded against the home side.
Amps tried everything in the last 15mins but were unable to capitalise despite being within 5m of the home sides goal line on several occasions and spurning two kickable penalty goal opportunities!
Ampthill have a week off next week, the following week they host Old Northamptonians, one place but 6pts behind them in the league table.
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| 1stXV 12, Matlock 11, Sat Jan 19 |
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Ampthill reversed the 1pt loss recorded in the corresponding away fixture earlier in the season after a game played in atrocious conditions which prevented any flowing rugby. Played in a steadily increasing drizzle on a pitch only just playable both sides struggled to maintain their feet let alone their skill level while the referee struggled to distinguish one set of forwards from their opposition given the uniform coating of mud!
Matlock converted a penalty goal on 2mins, Amps scored an unconverted try from a catch and drive following a 5m lineout on 11mins, Michael Hollister coming up with the ball. The visitors returned the compliment on 22mins after Ampthill attempted to run the ball from deep within their 22 and then converted a simple penalty goal to make the score 5-11 at the half.
On 67 mins Matlock's openside received a yellow card after a series of visitor infringements, a minute later Amps scored a try on the left midway between touch and the posts following a scrummage drive, ruck and pickup, again by Hollister. Bruce Thomas, who had missed a last minute penalty to win the earlier game, this time struck the ball sweetly between the posts to give Ampthill the lead 12-11.
Despite much pressure by both sides including Amps winning a 5m scrum against the head on their own line, no further score was recorded.
Ampthill can be pleased with their spirit, the win and the 2pts, next week they travel to Syston, former league leaders but who have lost their last three consecutive league fixtures.
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| Chester 30, 1stXV 15, Sat Jan 12 |
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Ampthill set off on the long coach journey to Chester on Friday evening having booked hotel accomodation for the squad for what was the biggest 1stXV game for many a year. The 4th round of the EDF energy cup saw sides from the Midlands and the North combined in the draw with the incentive that the winning side would be just 2 games from a day out at Twickenham.
Chester began strongly with Ampthill forced on the defensive rarely getting out of their half for the first quarter of the game. If it hadn't been for an obvious superiority in the front row in the tight providing respite A's would have conceded before the 11th minute when Chester's well drilled pack converted a 15m lineout into an unstoppable maul allowing their tight head to touch down and fly half Tom Foden, brother of Sale & England's Ben, to convert from wide out on the right.
The second quarter began with Amps coming more into the game and a series of phases combined with home side indiscretions saw Ampthill camped in their 22 and eventually win a 5m lineout. Chester stole the ball allowing quick hands and feet to move play rapidly into the A's 22 where hooker Michael Hollister was yellowcarded for killing the ball. With Amps down to 7 forwards almost immediately the home side scored another converted try from a 20m lineout maul, this time their hooker came up with ball from the pile of bodies.
Restored to a full compliment Ampthill took the game to Chester for the remainder of the half, twice having chances to score wide on the right and the half finished with Amps awarded a 5m scrum but no time to to pack down leaving the score 14-0.
The second half began with home side pressure rewarded in the 45th minute by a 35m penalty chance converted by their fly half.
Amps again raised their game receiving on 53mins a penalty converted by fly half Bruce Thomas following a yellowcard issued to the home side's tight head for not rolling away.
Sadly for A's Chester's 14 players responded by scoring 10pts from yet another successful penalty goal by Tom Foden and a 60m converted try after poor tackling in the midfield.
Ampthill then put together their best period scoring a converted try by scrum half John Lasbrey from a catch and drive after a 5m lineout following good hands and a line break in midfield. The home side responded with another penalty goal from their fly half, this time from 27m and as the game ran down Amps scored an unconverted try from a 5m lineout, won untidily by the home side and touched down by openside Joe Greenwood who won the ensuing footrace.
The scoreline reflects Chester's superiority but had Ampthill taken their chances the game could have been much closer. Amps pack dominated the scrums winning frequent turnover ball but the cutting edge was missing to convert possession to points.
Despite the loss the home side's off the pitch hospitality and welcome left Amps players and supporters with good memories of a real rugby club.
Ampthill welcome Matlock to Dillingham Park next week for the first home Mids 2 East fixture of 2008.
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| Banbury 14, 1stXV 18, Sat Jan 05 |
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Ampthill travelled to Banbury for their first match of 2008 in good spirits given the much improved squad availability. A sunny, dry but cold day with a significant breeze blowing straight down the heavy pitch following overnight rain offered promising playing conditions.
Amps began in total control, catching the home side's kick off, setting up a series of phases, recycling the ball at will and forcing the home side to defend deep in their half. In fact, Banbury didn't touch the ball until the 8th minute. However, Ampthill couldn't turn pressure into points and the home side used the following wind very effectively several times kicking deep into the visitors half. From one of these kicks a ruck formed in centre field in the 17th minute and the home side's Number 8 broke through and scored a converted try under the posts.
Amps continued to dominate both possession and territory until, on 29 minutes, they were awarded a 5m penalty, electing for a scrum the A's pack drove the home side over the line and Number 8 Lee Matthews touched down for an unconverted try.
Against the run of play, Banbury scored another converted try, when on what seemed like their second foray into Amps 22, their fullback broke through two tackles to score a converted try to the left of the posts. Ampthill responded by camping on the home sides try line, surprisingly a succession of reset scrums and 5m penalties produced no result and the ref blew for half time leaving the score 14-5.
The A's began the second half in the same vein but poor execution in the backs saw further opportunities missed until the 61st minute when a series of phases set up a maul wide on the left from which scrum half John Lasbrey scampered over on the blind side for an unconverted try.
Redoubling their efforts Amps pack were now in total control, disrupting Banbury's ball and winning their own comfortably, in the 69th minute another driving maul, this time from outside the home sides 22 saw captain Danny Phillips emerge with the ball for an unconverted try wide on the left.
Ampthill continued to control territory and possesion but failed to add to the score when, in the 78th minute, lock Nick Lewis was yellow carded at a ruck, Banbury's scrum half missing the difficult penalty chance against the wind. Despite being a man down Ampthill's pack continued to more than hold their own and in the 5th minute of extra time full back Luke Radley converted a penalty goal to make the score 14-18.
An excellent dominant performance by the forwards should have led to a much more convincing result, the backs have something to work on in training this week.
Ampthill travel to Chester next week for the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup 4th round.
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| N'ton Old Scouts 48, 1stXV 27, Sat Dec 22 |
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Ampthill travelled to Northampton to fullfill their East Midlands Cup fixture on a windless, fine, crisp winters afternoon. The A's injury and availability problems, predictably, reached their peak the saturday before chistmas, with 24 first team squad players unavailable. Amps pack contained just 2 players with more than one start this season and the unfamiliar backs line up was further disrupted when Mark Hemingway was injured in the warm up.
An early penalty against Ampthill was successfully converted by Old Scouts centre as the home forwards pressured with Amps defence holding firm. The visitors responded on 15 minutes when right wing Matt Loon scored in the corner after good work from centre Jon Raven saw full back Matt Kay break the line and make the scoring pass. John Lasbrey, on his return from injury and playing at fly half, missed the touch line conversion.
Old Scouts pack began to dominate proceedings, controlling the tight, disrupting Amps lineout and bossing the contact area. On 25 minutes the home side scored an unconverted try from a 5m scrum pushover, a feat they repeated just 4 minutes later. Ampthill responded with another unconverted try from Loon again following good work from the backs. Sadly, at 10-15, this was the last time that the visitors were in touch as the home side scored 4 trys (3 converted) in the remaining 10 mins of the half.
Turning round 10-41 behind Ampthill showed some pride winning the second half 17-7, scoring three backs trys (Lasbrey, Loon & left wing Nick Stevenson) while restricting Old Scouts to a single 15m mauled try.
Old Scouts deservedly won the game through the dominance of their forwards, the second half showed that Amps, even with the absentees, could have been competitive.
Ampthill travel to Banbury on January 5th in the League.
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| 1stXV 12, Kettering 20, Sat Dec 15 |
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Ampthill welcomed visitors Kettering to Dillingham Park on a cold, clear windless afternoon for the first return fixture of the league season. Amps, showing six changes from the side that defeated Loughborough, were forced into two further changes on game day giving a total of 19 1stXV squad players unavailable for various reasons!
Playing down the slope Ampthill began stongly, missing a 2nd minute penalty goal chance but keeping Kettering in their half for most of the first 10 minutes. On 12 minutes the visitors full back converted a penalty goal and they began to control territory forcing Amps to defend through multiple phases. In the 29th minute the Kettering scrum half charged down a clearance kick deep in the home sides 22, the ball fell kindly and he touched down with their full back adding the extras.
The remainder of the half was all Kettering but Ampthill's defence held firm with centres JJ Raven and Darren Birtles prominent leaving the score 0-10 at the half.
The second half began as the first finished with Amps defending their goal line from a fired up visiting pack, 2 minutes into the half Amps No. 8 was yellow carded for a technical offence and shortly after Ketterings pack assisted by 4 backs drove over the line for a converted try.
As sometimes happens this was the signal for a home side revival as they made light of being a man down and took the game to the visitors. Now it was Ketterings turn to defend their line and in the 55th minute their hooker received a yellow card for killing the ball. Amps, now restored to full strength, turned up the heat and after a series of phases produced a fine backs move on 60 minutes with full back Sam Wilson choosing a great line to beat the defence through the middle, step the cover and score to the right of the posts, fly half Bruce Thomas converting.
In the 64th minute Ampthill conceded a penalty and the visitors full back continued his perfect kicking afternoon by converting from 25m out in front of the posts.
Amps remained in control of territory and possession, forcing Kettering to defend deep in their 22. The home side created another fine backs try after several phases had tied in the visitors defence with the ball moved across the line for right wing Matt Loon to score an unconverted try wide on the right.
The last 10 minutes saw Ampthill pressurising the Kettering defence with the promising 18 year old openside Shane Allen appearing all over the pitch in support of the ball carrier but a combination of great defence from the visitors and the lack of that bit of necessary luck saw Kettering hold out.
A well refereed, hard but fair game saw Ampthill rueing errors that gifted a winning lead to the visitors but the squad can take great credit for an excellent second half performance.
Ampthill travel to Northampton Old Scouts next week for an East Midlands Cup quarter final.
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| 1stXV 5, Loughborough Students 3, Sat Dec 08 |
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Ampthill defeated MIdlands 1 league leaders Loughborough Students on a miserable afternoon on a heavy pitch after several hours of driving rain had abated to a steady drizzle. The home side, yet again much changed from the previous week, produced the best defensive performance of the year which combined with the conditions saw the visitors, who were also much changed from the previous week's league fixture, vaunted backs fail to impress while their forwards were ground down over the course of the game.
Loughboro's forwards started strongly, dominating possession and territory, keeping Ampthill penned back in their own half for the first quarter. After just 2 mins Ampthill were penalised at a ruck and the visitor's flyhalf converted a penalty goal. Loughboro were keeping the ball for phase after phase but the home side's defence held firm. In the 15th minute their fly half failed with another penalty goal attempt but almost immediately Ampthill's captain and man of the match Danny Phillips received a yellow card for killing the ball. The visitors failed to take advantage of their extra man and Amps, despite being a man down, came back into the game. On 31 & 32 minutes Ampthill had two penalty goal chances but both drifted wide, despite both sides getting near the goal line through forward drives there were no further scores before half time.
In the second half the home side's forwards gradually began to gain the ascendancy with possession and territory reflecting their superiority. In the 47th minute Loughboro's scrum half was yellow carded but this time, despite a series of 5m scrums, it was Amps turn to fail to score while a man up.
Restored to 15 the visitors were now creaking up front with Amps winning several scrums against the head. Following another series of 5m scrums Loughboro's defence became increasingly desperate resulting, in the 78th minute, in a lock receiving a 10 minute rest. Ampthill redoubled their efforts, another series of 5m scrums ensued and this time scrum half Tom Warfield took the initiative diving over wide on the right for an unconverted try.
In what turned out to be 9 mins of extra time, the visitors tried but failed to breach the home sides defence.
Ampthill face Kettering at home in the the first of the reverse league fixtures next week.
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| Market Bosworth 19, 1stXV 15, Sat Dec 01 |
Ampthill travelled on a crisp clear but windy winters day to face Market Bosworth who lay one place and 1pt lower in Mids 2 East. Ampthill's 1stXV, with 10 players injured or unavailable, again had 5 changes (3 making their '07 squad debuts) from the side that defeated Melton Mowbray the previous week.
After a period of home side pressure A's scrum half John Lasbrey broke from inside his 22 in the 7th minute, tackled short of the line the A's ran two quick phases before moving the ball down the line for centre Jon Raven to score an unconverted try wide on the left..
Ampthill dominated the next 10 minutes camped inside Bosworth's 22 before an interception by the home side's left wing saw him run 95m to score a converted try to the left of posts.
Bosworth, keeping the ball in their forwards and using the wind, controlled the remainder of the half, with Amps unable to produce any continuity while the home side managed the referee more efficiently at the breakdown. Shortly before half time Bosworth secured a succession of penaltys deep in Ampthill's 22 which resulted in an yellow card to prop Phil Donbavand followed almost immediately by a converted try from a maul to the home side leaving the score 14-5 at the half.
The second half was notable for the referee allowing the game to continue despite multiple injured prone bodies on a number of occasions, including one point when with Bosworth down to 14 and Ampthill to 12 players. Unfortunately for Amps three of the injuries proved game ending. During this period the home side scored another unconverted try from a maul driven over the line wide on the right.
The game changed again for the last 15mins with the Amps replacements lifting the spirit and superb handling producing two excellent backs trys, one wide right for wing Matt Loon and another wide left for wing Nick Stephenson. With neither being converted Ampthill pressed for another creating opportunities but desperate defence and the bounce of the ball combined to leave the score unchanged.
Amps face Loughborough Students at home in the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup next week.
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| 1stXV 20 Melton Mowbray 6, Sat Nov 24 |
Visitors Melton Mowbray arrived at Dillingham Park on a dry, overcast and bitterly cold November afternoon. Ampthill's 1stXV showed 5 changes (2 positional) from the side that defeated Walsall in the cup.
The opening exchanges were fairly even until, on 6 mins wing Rex Hedges picked up the ball in open play running 20m to score just to the right of the posts, Bruce Thomas converting. Melton's pack were controlling the scrum putting the home side's feed under pressure but the A's lineout and loose play in the forwards gradually established territorial advantage.
After both fly halves had exchanged penalty misses lock Nick Lewis scored an unconverted try in the 19th min diving over from a close range ruck after a 5m scrum back row move was stopped just short. Almost immediately the visitors won a penalty which was converted by their fly half.
Despite Amps having more of the ball and territory a number of promising opportunities were wasted through poor handling and decision making until Melton converted a penalty goal in the 39th minute before missing another on the stroke of half time leaving the score 12-6.
The second half was disappointing with on field discipline deteriorating and little rugby beng played. In the 62nd minute wing Hedges scored his second try beating 2 defenders after good work from centre JJ Raven saw a turnover outside the visitor's 22, Thomas missing the difficult convertion. The final score of the game came in the 76th min when Thomas converted a penalty goal.
In the last 10 mins the game became ill tempered with two forwards from each side yellow carded as the frequency of off the ball incidents increased.
Amps face Market Bosworth in an away league fixture next week.
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| 1stXV 33 Walsall 19, Sat Nov 17, EDF Int Cup Rnd 2 |
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Ampthill welcomed visitors Walsall to Dillingham Park on an overcast, windless day. The Mids 2 West side lay 4th in thir league just 3 pts off the top of the table. As usual this season there were three changes in the pack (the entire back row) and four changes in the backs (three positional) following the defeat at Kettering the previous week.
The A's started confidently with the forward exchanges evenly balanced in the tight and Amps winning the first of several lineouts on the visitors throw. Walsall were awarded a penalty at the breakdown in the 5th minute but failed to take advantage.
Ampthill began to control territory with backs & forwards combining to produce multiple phases, eventually in the 18th minute after a ruck on the left had produced quick ball fly-half Bruce Thomas cut through the central defence, stepped the cover and scored a try to the right of the posts which he converted.
Almost from the kick off the A's broke out of defence, good hands saw centre Sam Bates free on the left, a desperate last ditch tackle just a couple of metres short prevented the score but wing Darren Birtles was in support to collect and dive over in the corner, Bruce Thomas converting from the touch line.
Walsall changed tactics keeping the ball in the forwards and attempting to gain ground from driving mauls, Amps defence held firm however until another break saw the visitors under pressure in their half. A's scrum half John Lasbrey sold a dummy and scored an unconverted try in the corner on 30 minutes after beating three further defenders.
In the 37th minute Ampthill's openside Joe Greenwood was yellow carded for persistent infringements at the break down leaving Amps a man down but 19-0 up at the half.
Walsall's full back caught a clearance kick on half way in the 43rd minute and proceeded to run through just about the entire Ampthill team before touching down for a converted try to the right of the posts. Just 6 minutes later the visitors scored another converted try through their wing after an Amps turnover had gifted possession in midfield. Both trys were scored while Ampthill were down to 14 players!
Joe Greenwood's return from the bin was followed in the 56th minute by him making amends scoring a converted try following a break from scrum half Lasbrey. Receiving the ball 20m out with plenty to do he broke one tackle and swerved past the last defender to touch down under the posts.
On 64 minutes the Walsall openside was gracious enough to return the compliment to his opposite number, receiving a 10 minute rest for a dangerous tackle.
Bruce Thomas scored and converted his second try in the 75th minute after an Ampthill scrum 5m from the visitors line offered an almost identical opportunity to that he took in the first half.
Back to full strength Walsall scored an unconverted pushover try from a 5m scrum after an Amps turnover in their own 22.
Ampthill are through to the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup, the draw will held on Tues 20th November. Amps face bottom of the table Melton Mowbray in a league fixture next week at home.
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| Kettering 41 1stXV 13, Sat Nov 10 |
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Ampthill travelled to Kettering on an overcast and windy day with further forced changes to the squad after failed fitness tests on Saturday morning.
The A's started well after the home side made a mess of the kick off with a series of phases inside Kettering's 22 eventually providing a converted penalty goal for fly half Bruce Thomas.
The home side hit back with a converted try by their outside centre after several missed/broken tackles.
The game settled down with the forward exchanges, possession and territory pretty even and both sides trying to move the ball when possible. Bruce Thomas failed with, given the wind, a difficult penalty goal attempt. After a period of pressure from Ampthill inside Ketterings 22 the A's moved the ball quickly from a ruck and outside centre Sam Wilson went over for an unconverted try in the corner.
The home side replied with a converted try following another break through the midfield, their inside centre apparently proving difficult to put down in the first tackle, making the score 14-8 at the half.
Amps began the second half well by forcing Kettering back into their 22 and then scoring a pushover try from a 5m scrum, no 8, Phil Lane coming up with the ball. Bruce Thomas again failed with the conversion and this proved to be the last score of the game for Ampthill despite periods of pressure in the home side's 22, Kettering took control of the game scoring an unconverted try in the corner and a converted try under the posts and a penalty goal to lead 29-13 with 10 mins to play.
The A's then conceded two sloppy trys, one a breakway from inside the home sides 22 and an almost identical second for their scrum half from a ruck with woeful fringe defence.
Ampthill face Walsall next week at home in the second round of the EDF Energy Intermediate cup..
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| 1stXV 24, Banbury 11, Sat Nov 03 |
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Ampthill welcomed Banbury to Dillingham Park on a dry windless day with perfect playing conditions. The visitors, promoted from Midlands 3 East South together with the home side last season, had endured a similarly tough start to the league campaign and lay 11th in the league just 1 place and 2pts behind Amps.
The first 20 minutes were pretty even with neither side gaining the upper hand in any phase of play. Both sides were guilty of making mistakes when in promising positions and it was left to the visiting fly half to trouble the scoreboard with a converted penalty goal in the 11th minute.
Ampthill scored a well taken unconverted try by wing Matt Loon in the 21st minute following a Bruce Thomas cross field kick, Loon showing good soccer skills in controlling the bouncing ball on the volley and touching down to the right of the posts.
In the 37th minute Banbury's left wing score an unconverted try in the right corner following a turnover in midfield and good running by their backs.
In the 7th minute of overtime at the end of the half Amps Eight, Phil Lane picked up from a ruck and broke four tackles to score a try under the posts converted by Thomas to leave the score 12-8 at the half.
The visitors began the second half by controlling territory forcing the home side to defend stoutly until a turnover released full back Ian Campbell from inside his own 22, dummying the first defender and drawing the second he released wing Rex Hedges who broke into the Banbury 22 before passing out of the cover tackle to prop Simon Spavins who juggled, controlled and touched down before receiving oxygen having run 70m in support (just kidding Simon).
In the 69th minute after unnecessary A's petulance had marched a penalty 10m from halfway the Banbury fly half converted a penalty goal.
A period of Ampthill possession folllowed culminating in substitute Sam Bates running a good line to score a converted try to the left of the posts after slick hands from the home sides backs.
Ampthill are away next week at Kettering who, on a good run, will require the A's to step up their performance level.
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| Matlock 22, 1stXV 21, Sat Oct 27 |
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Ampthill travelled to Matlock with yet another much changed team on what became a damp, mizzly afternoon.
From the kickoff the home side immediately showed its limited game plan with a catch and drive gaining 30m. Thereafter the first half was characterised by the A's forwards struggling to control a dominant Matlock pack who were clearly under instructions to demonstrate that the old dictionary definition of 'backs' being people who hang around with rugby players was still relevant today.
The home side's fly half and full back used whatever ball was available to accurately kick for the corners and their pack thanked them by contructing two trys (one converted) before half time. Ampthill's backs looked dangerous ball in hand but despite a couple of forays into Matlocks 22 including one where the goal line was crossed (held up) and a straight forward penalty goal chance failed to trouble the score board leaving Matlock ahead 12-0 at the half.
The A's began the second half in similar vein to the first conceding a penalty in front of the posts in the 43rd minute which was converted by Matlock's full back. Being more than two scores behind seemed to galvanise Ampthill since almost immediately full back Ian Campbell scored a good try following a line break by openside Joe Greenwood. With the Bruce Thomas conversion in the 47th minute the A's were back in contention.
In the 55th minute Thomas broke from midfield inside his own half beating four defenders to touch down under the posts allowing him a simple conversion.
Ampthill infringed directly from the kick off and were lucky that the resulting penalty goal attempt drifted wide. sadly a similar result followed the home side's next indiscretion when Thomas missed a penalty chance in the 60th minute.
Following both sides making changes in their pack the forward exchanges were now much more even and it was against the run of play in the 71st minute when Matlock chipped over the A's defence, the bounce beat 3 covering defenders and the ball was touched down for a converted try.
Ampthill were in control of the game but sadly failed to convert a number of overlap chances before a series of phases involving backs and forwards resulted in a 77th minute converted (by Thomas) try from hooker Michael Hollister after many pairs of hands had been involved.
The A's dominated the remaining time winning three consectutive scrums against the head but despite three minutes of overtime couldn't convert territory into points. With time running out the home side conceded two consectutive penalties in a row the last of which saw full back Ian Campbell's last kick of the game attempt drift agonisingly wide of the posts.
Given the selection difficulties this was a much better performance that left the coaches disappointed but encouraged.
Ampthill are at home next week to Banbury who are one place and two points below them in the league
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| 1stXV 11, Syston 12, Sat Oct 20 |
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A hard fought encounter saw Ampthill lose out by the narrowest margin to the only team in Midlands 2 East with a 100% record, Syston.
JJ Raven scored an unconverted try for Ampthill after 15 minutes, Syston hit back with a converted try and a penalty to lead 12-5. Fly half Bruce Thomas converted a penalty to leave Amps trailing by four points at the half.
Despite the advantage of the slope the A's couldn't cross the goal line in the second half, Bruce Thomas converted another penalty goal but failed with two other attempts leaving the home aide to narrowly lose out.
Ampthill travel to Matlock next week
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| 1stXV 80, Bromsgrove 12, Sat Oct 13 |
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On a dry, warm and calm day Ampthill welcomed visitors Bromsgrove to Dillingham Park for the first time for more than 20 years for this first round Cup fixture. Though forced by injury and availability to make five changes from the side which stopped the losing rot at ONs the previous week there was a quiet confidence about the squad who were resplendant in their 'at last' delivered 2007 kit.
Ampthill dominated the game from kickoff scoring 40pts in each half. The visitors pack were only able to secure ball from their line out, every other phase of play saw the A's stats in the ascendancy while Ampthill's backs, sporting yet another 9/10 and 12/13 combination who had never played with each other simply tore Bromsgrove's defence to shreds.
For the record, Phil Lane scored 3 trys, Bruce Thomas & Giles Witheat 2 a piece, Simon Spavins, Matt Loon, Sam Wilson, John Lasbrey and JJ Raven 1 each with Bruce Thomas converting 10 of the 12 with another coming back from the post!
The visitors never threw in the towel and the A's had to earn every try however, it was a poor game for the spectator.
Ampthill face Syston, one of only two remaining Mids 2 East clubs with a 100% record, at home next week
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| Old Northamptonians 13, 1stXV 19, Sat Oct 06 |
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Report coming soon
Ampthill face Bromsgrove at home in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup next week
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| 1stXV 24 Newark 30, Sat Sep 29 |
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A dry almost windless autumnal afternoon greeted visitors Newark who were one of three teams remaining in Mids 2 East with a 100% record. The A's XV showed 8 changes from the loss at Paviours the previous week and with their fourth different pair of half backs in four games!. Tom Warfield at scrum half, making his debut for the 1stXV due to injury to incumbent John Lasbrey, was playing his first game since November 2005 after a succession of injuries. His fly half partner, Bruce Thomas was also making his debut after signing from Bedford Athletic.
Ampthill conceded the first of what became an inumerable series of penaltys in the second min but Newark failed to convert the resulting goal. It didn't matter because less than 2 min later they were successful with another. The A's began to settle and a series of phases resulted in the visitors being penalised at the breakdown but Bruce Thomas failed to convert. The next 10 min saw Ampthill pressurising Newark's defence and captain Danny Phiilips was driven over for an unconverted try from a 5m scrum in the 17th min.
The visitors responded in the 23rd min by converting a penalty goal from in front of the posts and continued to put pressure on the Ampthill goal line. In the 32nd min after several consecutive 5m scrums Newark were awarded another penalty successfully converted from under the posts From another 5m scrum the visitors scored an unconverted try in the 37th min. The final act of the first half was yet another Newark penalty goal converted from in front of the posts making the score 5-17 at the half.
The A's began the second half strongly but were unable to trouble the scorers despite spending considerable time deep in the visitors 22. From a turnover in the 49th minute Newark broke out of defence, kicked ahead and after several phases were awarded an unconverted try in the corner despite their being some doubt about the grounding.
Ampthill raised their game and with Bruce Thomas prominent ball in hand scored a good 54th min unconverted backs try by JJ Raven and and another by Thomas himself converted by Ian Campbell in the 57th min making the score 17-22. The visitors responded by pressurising the home side goal line and the resulting yellow card for Number 8 Phil Lane was a turning point since Newark almost immediately scored a push over try which was unconverted.
Despite being down to 14 players the A's were camped in the visitors 22 in the 70th min when yet another turnover and break resulted in full back Ian Campbell being yellow carded and the penalty converted by Newark's scrum half in the 70th min. Though 2 men down Ampthill defended like tigers until Lane returned to the game where upon the A's almost immediately scored a well worked backs try by outside centre Sam Wilson converted by Bruce Thomas.
Ampthill pressurised the visitors who defended stoutly though they still had time to miss yet another penalty goal in the 80th min.
Although the result was dissappointing, given the almost farcical lack of continuity in the game, the A's performance, particularly in the backs was a step up from that seen previously this season.
As an aside, analysis of the game video indicated that this game had the least amount of 'ball in play' time (less than 24 min) of any of the hundreds of games recorded in school, colts and senior rugby over the past 8 years!
Ampthill face Old Northamptonians away next week
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| Paviours 35 1stXV 10, Sat Sep 22 |
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Ampthill arrived at Paviours on a dry almost windless day providing excellent conditions for running rugby, unfortunately for the A's it was the home side that capitalised scoring five trys to one in handing out a comprehensive defeat. The Ampthill side, showing 7 changes from the previous week was further depleted when scrum half and leading try scorer John Lasbrey failed a pre match fitness test.
Ampthill started positively securing possession in the forwards and creating an opportunity for an overlap but the ball died in the tackle, a turnover ensued and the A's hardly touched the ball for the next 10 minutes with Ampthill defending their goal line in and aroung their 22. Eventually a breakout led to Olly Daniels, the A's third fly half in three games, converting a penalty goal following 'hands in the ruck'.
With Paviours now camped in the A's half the home side converted two successive penalties in the 18th and 20th minutes for offside and a late tackle missing a further chance, again for offside, a few minutes later. Ampthill were finding it difficult to win the ball with the scrum struggling and Paviours back row in control at the breakdown. On 30 minutes the A's tried to run the ball out of defence, centre JJ Raven chipped over the flat home side defence, despite him appearing to be taken out late, a turnover ensued which provided Paviours with an ideal broken field opportunity which they clinically executed resulting in a try for their No. 8 successfully converted by their fly half.
Ampthill raised their game with forwards and backs combining in a series of phases including a 40m break from No. 8 Phil Lane resulting in the home side conceding territory through being penalised at the breakdown. Yet another penalty was kicked to the corner and the A's won the resulting lineout but were unable to drive over the line, with the referee awarding a 5m scrum to Ampthill hopes were high for a score just before half time but the ensuing drive was disrupted by Paviours who then compounded the disappointment by turning the ball over at the ensuing scrum.
Almost immediately the home side broke out of defence with strong running and good hands eventually resulting their fly half scoring, untouched, a try which he failed to convert making the score 18-3 at the half.
The A's started the second half by conceding a soft try to Paviours left wing who ghosted through a disorganised defence, again without being touched, to score under the posts converted by their fly half.
The following 20 minutes were characterised by Ampthill securing the ball, running a few phases and then turning it over, particularly when deep within the home sides territory. On 65 minutes the A's conceded another soft try when Paviours inside centre ran through three tackles in the midfield, the conversion was missed.
The A's responded by producing their best move of the game when a series of phases resulted in the ball being moved down the line where replacement Joe Greenwood forced his way over in the corner for a try well converted by Olly Daniels.
The final act of the game was a try scored by the home side's open side who broke off the back of a 5m ruck and carried two defenders over the line in the corner.
Despite the enforced changes for a second week in a row this was a poor performance against an organised and confident side.
Ampthill face Newark who, together with Paviours and Syston, remain with a 100% record in the league at home next week
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| 1stXV 20 Hinckley 34, Sat Sep 15 |
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Another glorious day provided perfect (apart from the heat) playing conditions for Ampthill's second league visitors of the season. The A's squad, missing five from the previous week and further reduced after selection by the withdrawal of two more through injury were keen to show their strength in depth. Unfortunately, Hinckley gave the A's a serious reality check by, at the very least, matching the previously dominant Ampthill pack and proving much more organised and incisive in the backs running in five trys.
Last week Ampthill made numerous mistakes that the opposition failed to convert into points, the visitors this week were much more clinical remorsely punishing A's errors, turing 2 on 1 and 3 on 2 overlaps into trys with precision.
Despite being outplayed in the first half Ampthill scored a converted try through scrum half John Lasbrey in the 40th minute bringing the score to 13-20 at the half'
Turning round with the slope the A's immediately conceded another soft try. John Lasbrey responded by diving over for another converted try from a 5m penalty following a Hinckley infringement. A determined effort saw a period of pressure deep in the visitors 22 but a an interception length of the field try saw the visitors lead restored to 14pts. Despite much effort the score remained the same for the last quarter.
John Wilkinson converted both Ampthill trys and kicked two penalties.
Ampthill won enough ball to have been more competitive in this game but mistakes and defensive errors made it easy for the undoubtably superior Hinckley side on the day.
The A's face Paviours, who top the table after beating relegated Market Bosworth, away next week
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| 1stXV 17 Derby 16, Sat Sep 08 ... Game Photos Available Here |
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Ampthill welcomed a delayed Derby to Dillingham Park on a dry, warm but overcast afternoon offering perfect playing conditions for their tough first fixture on their return to Midlands 2 East. The A's squad saw the return of some players missing for the pre-season and the debut of centre JJ Raven.
Ampthill made a mess of the Derby kick off and the ensuing blast on the referees whistle was the first of what became a seemingly endless series of interuptions in play!
The A's scrum began solidly, eventually securing ball six times against the head, it would have been more but for the regular whistle. The lineout functioned much better than against Bletchley to the point that Derby soon resorted to shortening the line in order to secure good ball, however, they had little success in their attempts to use it either in the forwards or the backs largely depending on Ampthill errors and infringements allowing their fly half to gain ground with intelligent kicking from hand.
After 19 mins the A's were caught offside at a ruck and the visitors fullback converted a 35m penalty from in front of the posts followed just 5 min later by another successful penalty goal after Ampthill's openside was penalised and yellow carded for an infrigement at a breakdown.
On 28 mins the A's fly half Daniel Bell converted a 25m penalty from in front of the posts. From the kickoff Ampthill were penalised again but this time the Derby full back missed the 35m chance. Despite the referee beginning to lose patience with the constant infringements from both sides he reversed an A's 25m penalty having seen feet being used to remove the visitors flanker from the wrong side at a ruck.
On 39 mins an Ampthill handling move broke down, Derby kicked ahead and were awarded a try despite everyone present seeing a knock on in the build up except the referee. The visitors full back having made no mistake with the conversion there was still time for the Derby No. 8 to receive a yellow card when caught on the wrong side, again, at a ruck.
Turning round 6-13 behind the A's pressed trying to take advantage of their extra man and Derby's defense became more desperate resulting in a second yellow card for the visitors, this time for a prop. On 48 mins No. 8 Phil Lane scored a push over try for Ampthill after a 5m scrum converted by Daniel Bell. With their No. 8 back on the pitch the visitors then successfully defended another 5m scrum. On 53 mins Derby missed a 48m penalty chance before converting another on 61 mins.
Ampthill threw everything at the visitors for the last 20 mins but were unable to trouble the scoreboard despite crossing the line three times when they were apparently held up until the last minute when scrum half John Lasbrey picked up from a ruck, showed strength to keep on his feet before being driven over the line for the A's second try half way between the posts and touch.
The small matter of the conversion remained, not only was this a kick to win the game but it brought added pressure since it was Daniel Bell's last touch of the ball for Ampthill for a while as he leaves for Bahrain for a year next week. I don't think he cared that it wasn't the most elegant of kicks because the roar from the A's touchline as it went between the posts could probably have been heard in Derby!
The A's face Hinckley, who drew with relegated Market Bosworth next week at Dillingham Park
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| Bletchley 5 1stXV 10, Sat Sep 01 |
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Ampthill arrived at Bletchley on a pleasant but generally overcast afternoon with little wind ready for their final pre-season fixture. The A's squad showed a number of changes from the previous week with several senior players missing from both forwards and backs including the captain and vice-captain. The home side, who defeated Olney the previous week and, like Ampthill, had gained promotion by winning their league were also missing key players.
The intial exchanges within the forwards saw neither side gaining much advantage until inside centre Matt Kay broke the line in the 6th minute. Tackled by the last man in the Bletchley 22 the ball was re-cycled and fed through several pairs of hands for Richard Wilkinson to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Gaining forward control in the tight the A's then dominated possession spending most of the half apparently camped on or in the home side's 22 but seemingly unable to convert a series of good opportunities through a combination of good Bletchley defence and poor decision making. The home side were reduced to occasional forays into the Ampthill half following clearance kicks. Just before half time Bletchley broke out of defence following another breakdown of an Ampthill attack, given a penalty within kickable range the home side chose to kick for the corner and from the resulting line out scored an unconverted try following a catch and drive.
Turing round at 5-5 the A's began the second half in the same fashion as they ended the first, deep within Bletchley territory but unable to convert pressure into points. Gradually the home side won more ball, particularly at the line out and the game became more even. A further period of Ampthill pressure saw the A's over the line on three occasions but each time there was a Bletchley defender under the ball. Ampthill had to defend with similar passion as the home side had a succession of lineouts in the Ampthill 22.
From a lineout 5m from the A's line the Bletchley maul was driven back outside of the 22 before turnover ball allowed a clearance kick to relieve the pressure. Contesting the subsequent lineout the A's won the ball which again passed through several pairs of hands before fly half Daniel Bell took a short pass in support and stepped the full back to score a try in the 60th minute which he failed to convert.
With Ampthill reduced, somewhat harshly, to 14 players following a yellow card at a ruck the home side now dominated territory and it was the A's who were under pressure having to defend tenaciously but succeeding in preventing a Bletchley score.
Restored to 15 players Ampthill looked the more likely team to score in the remaining minutes but had to settle for the win without troubling the scoreboard.
The A's now look forward to their first league game at home to Derby on Sat Sep 08
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| Bedford Athletic 12 1stXV 12, Sat Aug 25 |
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Ampthill assembled at the 'Ath on a glorious windless late summer day with wall to wall sunshine. The pitch was in perfect condition following the not so clement recent weather and the A's were champing at the bit to begin their pre-season with this tough fixture against Midlands 1 opposition. With the coaches agreeing on a format of 4 x 20min quarters Ampthill's squad were keen to impress new coach Alan Brown even to the extent of taking the warm up seriously!
The home side, fresh from defeating North Walsham (National 3) 27-17 the previous Saturday began by kicking deep into the A's half but found progress ball in hand rather less easy with Ampthill's forwards contesting lineout and breakdown while consistently pushing the 'Ath forwards back at scrum and maul. Never the less the 'Ath spent most of the scoreless first 20min quarter in the A's half with both sides committing a series of handling errors leading to numerous scrums. Ampthill's backs, never having played as a unit before kickoff, were strong in defence but the lack of cohesion was evident going forward.
During the short break between quarters both sides made changes to their line ups but the pattern of the game remained the same in the second quarter with the changed A's pack dominating the tight and making ground only for turnovers to allow the home side to control territory. Although the 'Ath had several chances they never looked likely to score ball in hand but , given the context of the game, chose to kick for the corners rather than convert a couple of penalty chances. The stalemate continued until just before half time when the home side took advantage of a defensive mix up allowing an overlap for a converted try.
Ampthill made 9 changes for the start of the third quarter and, having brought on a number of youngsters in the pack, for the first time failed to control the tight exchanges. The home side had also changed tactics, moving the ball wide, using the long throw to the tail of the lineout and making effective use of the crash ball in the backs. During this period the 'Ath scored another unconverted try to take a 12-0 lead and were held up when over the line after great scrambling defence.
In the final quarter the A's used yet another combination of forwards and regained control in the tight while the re-introduction of John Lasbrey, normally a scrum half, in the unaccustomed position of outside centre sparked the back line into life. A good line break saw Ampthill camped in the home side's 22 before Phil Lane picked up from the back of a 5m scrum and forced his way over the line to score a try which was converted by outside half Daniel Bell. The home side forced Ampthill back into their 22 on a number of occasions but determined and sometimes desperate defence kept them from scoring until another break by Lasbrey, this time from deep within the A's 22 saw Giles Witheat score an unconverted try following great support play and interpassing between several pairs of hands. Although the A's looked the more likely to score during the last 5min a draw was a fair result.
One should not read too much into a pre-season game with so many replacements but Alan Brown was pleased with the forward effort, confident for the season ahead but aware of room for improvement.
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