20190413 Ampthill 1st XV vs Sale FC
Match Report
Amps Dominate Sale Outscoring The Visitors 9 tries to 2
Sale arrived at Dillingham Park on a dry, sunny day with a moderate easterly breeze and the chance of isolated showers.
After going behind to an early try Ampthill dominated the game scoring 9 tries and leaving several more on the park.
From the kick off Sale retained the ball well showing good structure to move the ball deep into Amps territory. A sweeping move through the hands from left to right saw a fine unconverted try scored in the right corner on 5 minutes by centre Moorhouse.
Sam Baker opens the scoreline for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
A’s took the game away from the visitors with 5 tries before half time. Wing Sam Baker scored a brace with two good finishes (8 minutes, 16) from open play.
Sam Baker scores again for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Scrum half Kevin Barrett sniped on 21 minutes from a red zone breakdown before
Kevin Barrett crosses the whitewash to add to Ampthills scoreline
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Sam Baker celebrated his hat trick on 25 minutes.
Sam Baker literally flying to provide Ampthill with even more points!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Centre Ollie Morris to completed the scoring for the half after he was was in support to receive the final pass in the 38th minute.
Ollie Morris crosses the line for Ampthill right by the flag
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Full back James Pritchard, playing the penultimate game of his illustrious 19 year career, converted all Sam Baker’s tries leaving the score 31-5 at oranges.
James Pritchard once again squares up to the posts for additions
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The second half was more of the same with the home side adding 4 more tries through fly half Josh Sharp (47, 75),
Josh Sharp slipping through the defences and heading for the line....
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
replacement hooker Syd Blackmore (51)
Syd Blackmore crosses the line in style despite a passenger
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Josh Sharp with his second try of the match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
and replacement scrum half Euan McKirdy (73).
Euan McKirdy crossing the line for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
James Pritchard adding the extras for all but Syd Blackmore’s.
James Pritchard with the Coaching Team at his last home match prior to retirement
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
In between the 57th minute saw a fine try from Sale’s centre Dunn, converted by fly half Povey.
The hosts were in control in the tight and the loose while the defence held a concerted second half effort from the visitors whose heads never dropped.
Ampthill welcomed previous players who showed their support at the bar!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Old Elthamians managed a bonus point win away at Bishop’s Stortford which forces the title fight to go down to the wire of the last round of fixtures. Ampthill need 1 point against Loughborough on April 27 to secure promotion to the Championship!
Paul Turner, post match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Head Coach Paul Turner comments “A pleasing performance, especially after the poor second half at Moseley the week before. We played some good football against a committed side but let a chance or two go begging. Our defence was good in the second half and both half backs had excellent games.”
Final Score
Ampthill 57, Sale FC 12