Sam on song as seven-try Ampthill march on

A VERY proficient Ampthill had little difficulty disposing of an under-strength Ionians to claim a seven-try victory.

The visitors made an ominous start; from the kick-off Joe Tarrant broke clear and although the ball was bundled into touch Matthew Collins was driven over from the resulting lineout.

Tarrant added a penalty to his earlier conversion for a ten-point lead. Ionians at last entered the fray, Lee Millar converted a penalty, but mistakes continually cost them territory.

Ampthill extended the lead with forward drives taking them close, before the ball was smartly transferred across field, creating an overlap which prop Brett Sturgess ignored to flop over for the score.

Ionians responded immediately. Alistair Thomson gathered a loose ball to break through the first line of defence before timing his pass well to winger Aquile Smith, who raced away to score in the corner. Millar converted from the touchline and added a penalty to make it 18-13 at the break.

Ampthill then made the game safe with two converted tries in the opening four minutes of the second half. Powerful running and good interplay had Ionians short of numbers and Maama Molitika and Steffan Jones crossed for tries.

Though Ionians defended desperately, they succumbed to late scores from Sam Hanks and Elliott Reeder.