Ampthill back to their best, purrs jubilant Turner

PAUL Turner hailed the performance of his Amphill players as their best of the season as they downed Rotherham.

With the packs evenly matched, Ampthill had an advantage as their backs made frequent line breaks and always looked threatening while the Titans struggled by comparison.

They opened the scoring with a fine try from wing Sam Baker, who took an inside pass from fly half Josh Sharp and beat three defenders to cross, Sharp adding the extras.

A yellow card card for Rotherham tested their defence, which was up to the task, and they gradually came back into the game, spurning kickable penalty chances, seeking tries instead. Eventually, they chose to take the points on offer and Ellis Abrahams reduced the deficit.

Amps were attacking right up to half time with desperate Rotherham defence holding out, leaving the score at 7-3.

The second half began with a simple try for the Titans after a missed tackle in midfield allowed centre, Jamie Cooke to carry defenders over the line.

Much of the rest of the game was played inside the Rotherham half but their defence held out until the 63rd minute when, after multiple phases in the red zone, scrum-half Euan McKirdy sniped from close range, Sharp converting.

Sharp then converted a penalty goal from 45 metres to extend the lead before, on 78 minutes, he broke the

line on the 22 to touch down before hitting the posts with his conversion.

As played out the remaining time without being threatened to record their third victory in a row.

It was a fine 80-minute performance from Ampthill with the forwards matching their visitors and the backs rampant.

Ampthill head coach Paul Turner said: “This was the best performance of the season against a very good Rotherham side. The backs threatened to run riot in the first half, lost their way at the beginning of the second before finishing the game clinically. “Credit to our players, who stuck to the game plan showing just what they are capable of. The last three weeks have seen Ampthill back to their best.”