Match Report

Ampthill welcomed Rotherham to Olney Field on a dry, partly cloudy afternoon with a strong wind blowing in favour of the visitors in the first half.

The forward packs were evenly matched in the tight with nether side gaining much advantage at the scrummage or line out, however the home side’s back row, working in tandem, had an advantage at the breakdown. Ampthill’s backs, however, made frequent line breaks and always looked threatening while the visitors struggled by comparison.

The visitor’s defence was up to the task, resisting the hosts attacking play and they gradually came back into the game, spurning two or three kickable penalty chances seeking tries instead but Ampthill’s defence was in turn resolute. Eventually, on 33 minutes, they chose to take the points on offer (Abrahams) to reduce the deficit.

The second half began with a simple try for the visitors after a missed tackle in midfield saw their centre, Cooke, carry defenders over the line and Rotherham take a narrow lead.

Much of the rest of the game was played inside the visitor’s 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.

Much of the rest of the game was played inside the visitor’s 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.

On 70 minutes, Sharp converted a penalty goal from 45m to extend the lead to more than one score before, 78 minutes, he broke the line on the 22 to touch down just to the left of the posts then hit the post with his conversion.

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Match Store: 20181103 Ampthill 1st XV vs Rotherham

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