Forward power is the key as Amps roll OAs

AMPTHILL romped to a bonus-point win over Old Albanians as they dominated up front, despite the visitors’ backs causing their hosts plenty of problems.

Fly-half Joe Tarrant gave the hosts the lead with a penalty after ten minutes, and centre Will Goodge crashed over shortly after as Ampthill extended their advantage.

A turnover on the Ampthill 22 resulted in an unconverted try for Old Albanians openside Nicholas Stevens in the 16th minute as the visitors rallied.

However, Ampthill scored twice more through blindside Loti Molitika on 26 minutes and tighthead Matt Collins on 40, Tarrant adding the extras for both, leaving the score 22-5 at half-time.

OAs upped their tempo at the start of the second half, and got their reward after 45 minutes.

The referee awarded a penalty try against Amps and a yellow card to wing Sam Baker, after the ball was diverted out of play near the try-line.

But despite the numerical advantage, Albanians could not turn pressure into points.

The hosts were given a penalty try of their own on the hour when another red zone scrummage was unlawfully stopped, Tarrant converting.

Scrum-half Morgan Thompson responded for the visitors with a try, but another Ampthill penalty try and a Ben Wilkinson score secured the win for the hosts.