Ionians no match for Amps’ offloading antics

AMPTHILL welcomed Hull Ionians to Dillingham Park but sent them home with their tails between their legs after a comprehensive beating.

A's started well, taking the lead through right wing Pete Weightman on five minutes – finishing in the corner only for full-back James Pritchard's conversion to hit the upright.

Committed Ionians defence kept the scoreboard further untroubled until the 21st minute, when Pritchard crossed the line to the left of the posts for a converted score.

Six minutes later Sam Hanks scored the first of a brace after breaking tackles to cross the line wide on the left, Pritchard nailing the touchline conversion.

Gradually Ionians came into the game and had their best period in the last five minutes of the half, but unable to turn pressure into points.

The second half began as the first had finished and in the 44th minute scrum-half Isaac Green converted his own try.

Ampthill responded by scoring four more tries through No. 8 Maama Molitika, Hanks, left wing Sam Baker and replacement flyhalf Lawrence Rayner – Pritchard converting three.

Ionians were organised and committed throughout but they had no answer to Amps’ power in the first half and offloading game in the second – but they did score two unconverted tries in the second period through replacement wing Sam Wilson.