Match Report
Ampthill 1881’s 52 - 17 Richmond Saxons (3rd XV)
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7 trys, fantastic playing surface, a hattrick, playing in the sunshine, it was a good day for the 1881. It nearly turned out so different as on the Saturday morning, the squad was down to 17 players following last minute illness. The Ampthill Jets game was called off at 10am due to a unfit playing surface and by 10:05, the 1881 had called up Ali Gibbs and Ampthill veterans Colin Liddell and Simon Spavins. Spavins now in his fourth decade of senior rugby.
Charlie Fleckney causing trouble for Richmond from the offset
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Just like last week against Cambridge, 1881 were not playing particularly well, which Richmond pounced upon with line breaks a plenty, particularly from some huge forwards. Richmond opened the scoring on 25 minutes from a rolling maul, but this woke the 1881 up with Chris Diamond getting the scoreboard ticking and Ampthill didn’t lose the lead for the rest of the game.
Chris Diamond opens the score line for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Rob Hughes, still improving every game following a positional switch from back row to centre, scoring near the posts and Charlie Fleckney touching down from a rolling maul. Liam Everitt kicking all the conversions and knocking over a penalty after Ampthill went through 25 phases of fantastic ball retaining rugby. 24-5 at half time.
Rob Hughes outpacing the defence to score for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ampthill lost more experienced with Will Allman and flyhalf Mikey Waters both off with game ending injuries. A testament not only to the strength in the squad, but in the club as the Ampthill finishers added a new dimension to the team.
Fleckney scoring two more trys before the end of the game, Hughes again and Adam Shelly crashing over for a try after Sol Tovey charged down a clearance kick. 18 year old Shelly who has had to be patient for his game time, taking the opportunity with both hands with plenty of bravery in the contact area and winning several turn overs.
Another 5 league points in the bag and 1881 up to third in the table but with 5 games in hand over Old Elthamians in second place.
Final Score
Ampthill 1881: 52, Richmond Saxons 17
Gallery
