Five-star Ampthill flourish to punish visitors

AMPTHILL scored five tries on their way to a comfortable home win over Esher.

The hosts made seven changes from the side which lost at Chinnor with wing Spencer Sutherland, signed from Esher during the summer, and fly-half Michael Waters making their debuts.

But Esher went ahead through an Owen Waters penalty before Sutherland finished a fine, unconverted try wide on the left on 16 minutes having shown serious pace.

The home side extended their lead on 28 minutes with a snipe from close range by scrum-half Euan McKirdy, the try also going unconverted.

However, the balance of play was now in favour of the visitors with lock Devin Montgomery scoring a try on 37 minutes, converted by Waters to leave the scores tied 10-10.

Esher took the lead with a Waters penalty ten minutes into the second half but Amps responded with a trademark catch and drive try credited to Aleki Lutui on 54 minutes and converted by full-back Ciaran Whyte.

The visitors were now turning the screw up front with flanker Joseph Bercis and then scrum-half McKirdy receiving yellow cards, the latter conceding a penalty try simultaneously.

However, two Whyte penalties moved the hosts 21-20 ahead and that inspired them to push forwards with Bercis and centre Sam Hanks scoring tries to complete the win.