Reliable boot of Grimoldby secures Amps win

were good value for this victory on a dismal Gloucestershire evening.

Neither side produced much on a saturated pitch, but the visitors were smart enough to take the chances that came their way and, in Louis Grimoldby, had a reliable source of points.

Hartpury did have some moments of pressure, particularly in the second half, but lacked the composure to capitalise and their indiscipline was a constant encouragement to the visitors.

The surface at the Alpas Arena is generally good, but

the sheer volume of rainfall meant the match started with standing water in areas.

Although the pitch did not cut up badly, a greasy ball ensured that entertainment was at a premium.

The only score of the opening period came courtesy of a Grimoldby penalty after 18 minutes. Hartpury were penalised for coming in from the side and the flyhalf struck well from 30 metres.

Beyond that, the teams were unable to create any kind of sustained pressure, with territorial kicking being the order of the day. Hartpury finished the half with 14 men, after prop Ashley Challenger was singled out for an accumulation of smaller offences.

Things got marginally better after the break, although the pattern of the game remained largely the same. Hartpury were pressing for a try but an Ampthill break-out led to a penalty for blocking and Grimoldby did the rest.

He extended the lead to 9-0 a few minutes later after Hartpury played the jumper at the lineout.

The hosts then had their best spell of the game, finally building some pressure in the visitors’ 22. However, they lacked both the nous

and accuracy to finish the job, as a series of promising positions were wasted.

Eventually they did get some reward. With Ampthill down to 14 after a yellow card to Ben Christie for teams infringements, the ball squirted out of a ruck and was floated wide for Jacob Morris to score in the corner.

Hartpury could not build on that and the last rites were delivered with two minutes remaining.

Grimoldby launched a perfectly weighted crosskick which tortured the home defence and replacement wing, Sam Baker, was there to score. Grimoldby’s touchline conversion capped a strong individual display.

“We were very disappointed with that performance,” said Hartpury caoch John Barnes. “It was always going to be a difficult night but we were particularly naïve against a solid Ampthill side.”

Dean Richards 578