Amps turn the volume up to win historic encounter
AMPTHILL welcomed Old Elthamians to Dillingham Park for the first ever match at 1st XV level between the sides, and ran out comfortable winners.
Ampthill came out of the blocks like an express train, securing turnover ball, driving up through the forwards before moving it through the hands to the left for wing Sam Baker to touch down wide out on two minutes, fly-half Josh Sharp adding the extras from near the touch line.
Just seven minutes later Amps were back in the visitors red zone mounting a sustained assault with multiple phases leading to loose head prop George Thornton crashing over from close – Sharp again converting.
The next 20 minutes saw the home side defending both in the red zone and out wide but, try as they might, the visitors were repelled.
Having weathered the storm without looking like conceding, Amps were back in the visitors’ 22 exerting pressure when Sharp sold a dummy in front of the posts and slipped through untouched in the 36th minute – converting again.
The second half began with the home side under pressure, but the 47th minute saw a turnover deep in the hosts’ 22 run the length of the field with backs and forwards combining for scrum half Kevin Barrett to score, Sharp missing the conversion.
Another turnover saw flanker Syd Blackmore leave the game injured after a high tackle from visiting captain Hamish Barton, for which he received a yellow card.
His replacement, Billy Johnson, almost immediately received an identical punishment for a similar
offence although the consequences to the tackled player were far less serious.
With both teams playing with 14 men there was a little more space and Old Elthamians took advantage in the 63rd minute after a line out catch and drive was stopped on the line, allowing replacement prop Jay Rudland-Thomas to crash over from the ruck, replacement fly-half Tom White converting.
OEs continued to throw the kitchen sink at Amps but the defence had the final word when another turnover produced another length-of-the-field breakaway try with lock Josh Walker prominent before Sam Baker scored on 78 minutes, Sharp crowning a fine day with his fourth conversion.
All of which left Ampthill head coach Paul Turner reflecting on the game and saying: “A good display against a strong Old Elthamians side. When we kept the ball we caused them problems, when we gave the ball away we had to dig deep defensively.”
With Old Elthamians director of rugby Gavin Loch adding: “I have no complaints about the result, we were beaten by a better side. Ampthill took their chances, for the first time this season we didn't. Well played Ampthill.”
The win leaves Ampthill second in the league, with Old Elthamians still in fifth.