Raging Bull Shield

20200118 Ampthill vs Richmond Saxons

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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

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20200104 Ampthill vs Wimbledon

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Match Report

Ampthill 1881’s 69 - 14 Wimbledon 2nd XV

Match Store: 20200104 Ampthill vs Wimbledon

Ampthill 1881 started 2020 in the perfect way by scoring 10 trys against a Wimbledon side that held Ampthill to a 12-10 score line at the beginning of the season.

1881 set piece was accurate all day with the front row winning a penalty, then the forwards delivering the perfect platform from a lineout for Rob Hughes to crash over.

Rob Hughes opens the score line for Ampthill 1881’s
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The back took over for the next one with Kwaku Asiedu fielding a loose kick, charging up the field and offloading to Will Allman who just got over the line. 

Will Allman just managing to touch over the line…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Just as Wimbledon were putting their game together, a turnover saw Mikey Waters sprint clear from halfway for 21-0.

Mike Waters takes Ampthill to 21-0…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Four try bonus point was wrapped up with Will Foster turning on the after burners, as the temperature at pitch 4 started to decrease.

Will Foster on his way to the line for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Liam Everitt crossed the line in the corner but for a valiant cover tackle, knocking the ball out of his hand.

Liam Everitt denied a try at the last minute
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Seemed more difficult not to score. Asiedu showing him how it was done by scoring two before the half was done.

Kwaku Asiedu breezing in for yet another try… (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Kwaku Asiedu breezing in for yet another try…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

A yellow card for Lewis Sharp in the red zone after repeated infringements, lead to Wimbledon scoring twice during the sin bin period to bring the half to a close 40-14.

Ampthill scored another four trys in the second half. Hughes completing a hattrick, Chris Diamond and Ollie Walliker finishing with a flourish. The only sour not being Niall Cleaver being carried from the field with a suspected broken ankle.

Rob Langley showing Ampthill can defend as well as attack…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Very good performance from Ampthill this week with forwards laying the perfect platform for backs to finish off the chances. 1881 climb up to fifth in the table but with several games in hand over sides above them.

Final Score

Ampthill 1881: 69, Wimbledon 2nd XV 14

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20191123 Ampthill vs Cinderford

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Match Report

Ampthill 1881’s 33 - 18 Cinderford 2nd XV

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Ampthill 1881 gained a bonus point victory for the third match in a row against Cinderford United in the Raging Bull Shield Division One. Mickey Wilson and Charlie Fleckney scoring two each and Ben Wilkinson chipping in with one.

Ampthill with a powerful attacking style
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The game was played in cool but mostly dry conditions on pitch three and the wide pitch suiting Ampthill with the forwards punching holes in the defence, creating space for the backs to enjoy some freedom in space. A simple game plan executed very well with a strong kicking game from Liam Everitt, pinning Cinderford back in their half. After many phases of ball retention, Mickey Wilson skipped through some defenders to score near the posts on his return from injury. Liam Everitt simple conversion.

The most restful try of the game?
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Cinderford came back with 3 points from the tee but this spurred the 1881 to step up their game. Kyle McSwiggan breaking the game line before the ball was recycled to tight head prop Ben Wilkinson to score near the posts again. 14-3 after 25 mins.

Ben Wilkinson on a mission
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Same again, Cinderford knocked over another 3 points from a visit in the 1881 territory. After which Mickey Waters found a hole to scorch through and give an inside pass to Mickey Wilson who just had the legs to score near the posts.

Mickey Wilson in yet another visit to the visitors try area
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Ampthills discipline started to waver and Cinderford scored from a rolling maul, following a kick to the corner. Not much the Ampthill pack could do to stop the score bringing the half to a close 21-11.

Cinderford proving they know how to cross the line too!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The second half started as the first had ended but with Charlie Fleckney coming up with the ball for Ampthill after a rolling maul, from a penalty kick to the corner. 26-11 and a 4 try bonus point wrapped up.

Charlie Fleckney manages to make it over the line for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

A Cinderford pack growing in confidence, picked off some holes in the defence for their 12 to dive in near the posts. 26-18. After another converted Charlie Fleckney try, 1881 didn’t have the ball for almost 15 minutes as Cinderford battered away at the Ampthill line. 1881 defence held firm with some colossal tackles preventing would be trys. Bailey Thomas on more than one occasion, scrambling back to touch down in goal to save certain scores.

Charlie Fleckney finishes off the scoring for Ampthill with space to spare..
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Ampthill can be pleased with another bonus point win and a very professional performance. Credit to Cinderford who threw everything at Ampthill. A big thanks to Paul Mason who answered a late SOS. Coming from Jets duty and making his physical presence felt off the bench. The squad seems to be getting younger each week with no fewer than 11 of the match day squad having come though the Ampthill youth system at varying times. Niall Cleaver, Kyle McSwiggan, Lewis Sharp, Liam Everitt and Charlie Fleckney all past academy graduates and now at the forefront of the senior squad.

Final Score

Ampthill 1881: 33, Cinderford 2nd XV 18

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