Stunning try by Cambriani puts Amps on victory path

STRONG Ampthill kicking and a stunning Ben Cambriani try saw the Mob claim back-to-back wins at a rain drenched Athletic Ground.

Things started well for London Scottish, as Laurence May slotted a 40m penalty after the front row won a penalty at the scrum.

Just as London Scottish looked to build into the game, five minutes later Ampthill scored their only try of the match. With penalty advantage, Russell Bennett put in a cross-field kick to Cambriani. Despite the kick being under hit, the winger managed to half-volley the ball and dot it down before it crept over the dead ball line. Bennett converted and the visitors had a 7-3 lead.

As the quarter of an hour mark approached, May scored an almost identical penalty after Ampthill infringed at the breakdown, to make it a one-point game.

From here, Scottish had a real period of momentum, but errors at a 5m lineout, and inside the Ampthill 22, meant they didn’t convert this into points.

As Ampthill rode out the Scottish dominance, Bennett slotted a penalty from the touchline on the 25th minute and then did so again ten minutes later.

The Exiles had one final chance to score on the stroke of half-time; the rolling maul came up just short but then they infringed on the floor and Ampthill were able to take a 13-6 lead into the break.

The second half started in a very similar way to how the first had ended, Scottish not taking their chances and Ampthill slotting their kicks. Bennett did this on the 44th minute after a maul infringement.

Scottish’s ill-discipline continued as Noah Ferdinand saw a yellow card for a tip tackle with half an hour to play.

Although they managed to see out the sin bin period without conceding, substitute fly-half Fin Smith kicked two penalties from the scrum once Scottish were back to a full compliment.

As the game ticked into the final minutes, Scottish finally crossed the whitewash. Strong handling from the forwards eventually forced the penalty advantage allowing Scottish to go wide with Leo Fielding scoring in the corner. Laurence May converted from the touchline, but the Exiles were still shy of a losing bonus point.