Amps survive late assault for famous victory

AMPTHILL held firm in the face of a fierce second half fightback to take the spoils over former coach Clive Griffith’s charges in their first ever match against Doncaster.

Cruising at 30-14 with just over five minutes to go, late tries from Jack Roberts and Kyle Evans ensured a nervy finale at Olney Field with Amps’ ill-discipline almost costing them dear.

Ampthill DoR Mark Lavery said: “We played well for large parts but when leading 30-14 in the second half we failed to put the game away and allowed them back in – this wasn’t good enough.

“Now we focus on our away trip to Newcastle, an experience no one associated with Ampthill could have imagined a few years ago!”

Flanker Joe Bercis touched down after five minutes for the first try following huge pressure on the visitors’ defence. Wing Sam Baker caught in stride a fine cross kick from flyhalf Louis Grimoldby to race over for the second in the left corner.

Grimoldby missed both conversions but landed two penalties to extend the lead to 16-0 after Doncaster twice cynically infringed with the hosts on the attack in front of the posts.

A bad leg break suffered by Doncaster No.8 Ollie Stedman stopped the game for a few minutes and when it resumed Knights seemed galvanised.

Amps appeared to have lost focus and Doncaster scored either side of halftime. Ben Hunter touched down from a driving maul and Tyson Lewis finished off a backs move immediately after the interval.

Amps hit back with two more converted tries. Jarryd Sage’s midfield break was followed by Bercis’ second from close range on 61 minutes.

But leading 30-14 with 20 minutes remaining, Amps

allowed the visitors off the hook after a yellow card to centre Sam Hanks for going in at the side, and Knights replacement wing Jack Roberts touched down.

Just three minutes later, while again under the cosh, home No.8 Sam Hudson was sent to join Hanks in the bin for sacking a maul. Despite the best efforts of the remaining 13 Amps, Knights ran in another try on 78 minutes through centre Kyle Evans but Amps held firm for the final knockings after Roberts came back on to help clinch their fifth victory of the season.

Doncaster coach Clive Griffiths said: “Ampthill thoroughly deserved their win. Our squad was warned what to expect but we did not follow the game plan in the first half, choosing to play rather than concentrating on territory.

“We had our chances to win but failed to take them. A sad day for Doncaster but a great day for Ampthill.”