Championship League

20191116 Ampthill vs Jersey Reds

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Match Report

Ampthill 1st XV 38, Jersey Reds 47, Greene King IPA Championship League

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In total contrast to Hartpury, defence appeared optional for both sides as the crowd were treated to a 12 try festival.

Ampthill began brilliantly, with fly half Sam Costelow charging down a clearance kick from his opposite number Dyer, then hacking on for open side Joe Bercis to dive on the ball under the posts for a 1st minute try converted by Sam Costelow.

Joe Bercis opens the scoreline within the opening minute
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The next 20 minutes were dominated by the visitors ruthlessly capitalising on Ampthill errors to score 3 tries, through open side Bainbridge (5 minutes), hooker Harris (11) and a penalty try (20) all coming from penalties kicked into the home 22 followed by lineout catch & drives which Amps struggled to contain. The latter also resulted in a yellow card to Ampthill’s Dave Ward. Dyer converting both opportunities

Jersey gain a penalty try…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

As somehow seems to happen often, going down a man was the catalyst for the home side to raise their game. First, Sam Costelow missed a 28th minute 48m penalty attempt before converting another on‌ 31 minutes. Then, after a period of concerted pressure by the hosts lock forward Jon Kpoku finished from 5m out on 37 minutes, Sam Costelow adding the extras.

Jon Kpoku crosses the line in Ampthill’s favour
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The half time whistle came leaving the score 17-19 with Ampthill in the ascendancy.

The second half began with a bang as another penalty, lineout, catch & drive brought the bonus point try for the visitors Harris, Dyer’s conversion bisecting the posts. Almost immediately, with Amps on the attack, the home spectators let out a roar as a very obvious high tackle on Ampthill’s Sam Costelow was ignored by the officials, the resulting interception, 60m scamper by Jerseys right wing Morgan and conversion by Dyer adding to the crowd’s discontent.

Contentious tackle much to the crowd’s disapproving mood…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Trailing by 17 pts just 10 minutes into the second half Ampthill once again responded well, Joe Bercis scoring his 2nd try from the red zone before the hosts try-of-the-season so far was created by the home backs with quick passing, a chip from centre Elliot Obatoyinbo recovered by wing Sam Baker and great support from Louis Grimoldby saw the latter under the posts, Sam Costelow converting both.

Joe Bercis over the line yet again for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

At 60 minutes played and the score 31-33 the game was again in the balance but another penalty try given in the 65th minute, on the advice of the same assistant referee, gave some breathing space to the visitors.

Louis Grimoldby crossing the line for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The 67th minute saw Ampthill on the attack and deep in the visitors 22 but a turnover saw the visitors move the ball from left to right and break out of defence for a length-of-the-field backs try well converted by Dyer.

Sam Costelow slips through the Jersey defences to score for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Amps still weren’t done scoring another fine backs try as Sam Costelow ghosted through the visiting defence to score and convert a 74th minute try. Just a couple of minutes later, Ampthill again broke out of defence with great support and inter passing leading to another try scoring opportunity but good defence saw the move break down within 5m of the Jersey line.

On the attack yet again, Ampthill wouldn’t lay down…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Both sides had chances in the remaining time before the referee blew for no side leaving the score 38-47 and the try count 5-7 in the visitors favour.

Both coaches will have much to work on defensively, Jersey’s maul was certainly the most effective yet seen this season.

Final Score

Ampthill 38, Jersey Reds 47

“I was proud of how hard we fought against a well organised and experienced Jersey side, however, this was a harsh lesson, give penalties away against this standard of opposition and we will be punished. There were some excellent performances with Costelow, Steward and Grimoldby all excelling and some fine back play. There is, however, a great deal to work on.”
— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)
“I was proud of how hard we fought against a well organised and experienced Jersey side, however, this was a harsh lesson, give penalties away against this standard of opposition and we will be punished. There were some excellent performances with Costelow, Steward and Grimoldby all excelling and some fine back play. There is, however, a great deal to work on.”
— Neil Tunnah, Assistant Coach (Jersey Reds)

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20191102 Ampthill vs Hartpury

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Match Report

Ampthill 1st XV 19, Hartpury 13, Greene King IPA Championship League

Ampthill hold out for their second win in the Championship in a tight game where defence dominated.

Despite further heavy overnight rain Olney field looked a picture in bright sunshine as old foes Hartpury returned to Bedfordshire, the strong west wind gradually abating during the game as the rain returned.

There were no changes in Amps starting pack which impressed at London Scottish while the backs saw Darryl Veenendaal (scrum half),  Sam Costelow (fly half) & Cameron Anderson (centre) rotate to the starting lineup. On the bench Louis Grimoldby (fly half) rotated while Gavin Williams (scrum half) and Sam Hanks (centre) returned.

Sam Baker on the attack
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The opening exchanges were even with both sides incurring the wrath of the referee resulting in an exchange of penalty goals in the 11th (Hartpury, fly half Joshua Bragman) & 16th (Ampthill, fly half Sam Costelow) minutes after both sides were penalised for breakdown offences.

A’s took the lead for the first time on 20 minutes with another Sam Costelow penalty goal after the visitors were penalised inside their 22.

Dan Murphy says hello to Dave Ward…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The forward battle was intense but the hosts gradually established control at the set piece with the home sides former Tongan internationals (props Soane Tonga’huiha & Aleki Lutui) & ex Harlequins hooker Dave Ward prominent while the visitors line-out came under pressure, in particular from lock Jon Kpoku. The loose, however, was very combative with neither side able to dominate.

Both sides excellent defence cancelled out their opponents attacking intent leaving kicking from hand for territory the obvious tactic.

Hartpury  took the lead on 25 minutes when Amps were penalised in midfield, the resulting penalty was kicked deep into A’s 22, the visitors won the line-out, set the maul and drove for the line. Eventually, open side Akapusi Qera twisted his over the whitewash, Bragman adding the conversion from wide out.

Ampthill drive their maul almost to the line…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The hosts responded with a period of pressure in the Hartpury half winning a penalty at a breakdown in the 30th minute allowing Costelow to succeed with his 3rd goal of the game to make the score 9-10.

Back in the visitors half the home side set up camp deep in Hartpury’s 22 with phase after phase being repelled by excellent goal line defence. Darryl Veenendaal made the breakthrough on 36 minutes with a delightful behind-the-posts grubber for centre Rueben Bird-Tullock to win the foot race and dive on the ball, Sam Costelow adding the extras from in front of the posts.

Aleki Lutui tests Hartpury’s defences…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

With the score 16-10 at oranges and Ampthill to have the benefit of the wind in the second half, Amps connections would have been confident. What transpired was 40 minutes of superb defence from both sides punctuated by another exchange of penalty goals in the 51st & 56th minutes.

Both sides had sustained pressure in each others 22 but could not break their opposition goal line, even during the last 5 minutes when, camped in the red zone, Hartpury threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at A’s with the hosts down to 14 players after a yellow card to lock Shay Kerry.

Jon Kpoku drives the game forward for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Despite the conditions both sides tried to play an attacking game when possible but this was a battle of the defences with the hosts just coming out on top.

Final Score

Ampthill 19, Hartpury 13

“Despite a nerve wracking last few minutes this was a good win against an old rival who are now an established Championship side. Our half backs showed good control in the first half but might have made our lives easier if they’d have used their kicking game more in the second. If, before the season, you’d offered me two wins and a draw from our first four league fixtures I’d have bitten your hand off. It’s been a good start but we still have work to do.”
— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)

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20191026 London Scottish vs Ampthill

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Match Report

London Scottish 6, Ampthill 6, Greene King IPA Championship League

Ampthill took the field at the Richmond Athletic Ground marking another historic day playing their first away match in the Green King IPA Championship.

The starting lineup saw 3 changes with blind side Will Allman and Number 8 Sam Hudson come into the back row while Rueben Bird-Tullock started at inside centre in the backs. The bench included debuts for dual registered Sam Costelow (Wasps) & Cameron Anderson (Tigers).

Joe Bercis tries to charge down a clearance from London Scottish
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Scottish kicked off with A’s working their way into the hosts half but a loose kick saw the hosts return it with interest allowing Scottish to camp in the visitors 22. Repeated kicks to the corner were repulsed by stoic Amps defence with the forward pack withstanding everything the hosts  threw at them.

A’s worked their way out of the danger zone finding themselves in the home sides half. After a number of phases Scottish infringed at a breakdown and the ensuing penalty goal was well struck by visiting fly half Louis Grimoldby on 12 minutes.

Louis Grimoldby prepares for a penalty against London Scottish…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The hosts responded with vigour forcing Ampthill on the back foot, however, the Amps defence held out. Back in the home sides half A’s looked dangerous when in possession and in the 36th minute they were awarded another penalty, Grimoldby making no mistake to secure a 0-6 lead.

Scottish responded again but the visitors forward pack coped with everything that was thrown at them with Ampthill’s flankers Will Allman and open side Joe Bercis seeming everywhere. Given the result in Japan earlier in the day the comparison with the Kamikaze Kids may not have been too far fetched.

As the half closed Scottish were awarded a penalty, choosing to take the points on this occasion fly half Harry Shepard’s attempt sailed between the posts to leave the score 3-6 at oranges.

The second half continued in the same manner with Amps scrum putting significant pressure on the hosts eight while evergreen props Aleki Lutui and Soane Tonga’huiha bossed the tight.

Soane Tonga’uiha taking charge of matters on the pitch…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The home side were in the ascendancy, however, for much of the next 20 minutes but A’s defence nullified their best efforts with Scottish never looking likely to score again.

After some kick tennis exchanges which generally appeared see the visitors come out better off Ampthill continued to frustrate Scottish.

On 70 minutes Amps were awarded a penalty but A’s replacement fly half Sam Costelow sent the ball to the right of the posts.

Ampthill drive for the line, never quite making it…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Visitors centre Rueben Bird-Tullock had carried hard all day while both he and Saints team mate wing Josh Gillespie looked particularly strong in defence, they’d played a significant part in what looked like a fairy tale win on the road..

Sadly for the visiting supporters there was a last minute twist when Scottish were awarded a penalty, successfully kicked by replacement fly half Dan Barnes leave the scores level at no side.

Final Score

London Scottish 6, Ampthill 6

“I think the whole playing group took a step forward and whilst we had a load of positives from today’s game we should have won! We need to be smarter to put games like this away.
We have a massive match at home next week at Dillingham Park and I hope our supporters will really get behind the boys.”
— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)

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20191019 Ampthill vs Yorkshire Carnegie

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Match Report

Ampthill 1st XV 53 - Yorkshire Carnegie 22, Greene King IPA Championship League

Yorkshire Carnegie arrived at Dillingham Park on a dry, bright day with a gentle northerly breeze to find perfect playing conditions.

Ampthill made 7 changes from the squad that lost against Nottingham, up front Jon Kpoku (lock, DR with Saracens) & Argentine Facundo Dominguez (No. 8) rotate to the starting lineup. In the backs, DR with Saints Josh Gillespie (Wing) made his debut while Kevin Barrett came in at scrum half. On the bench Maama Molitika rotates, Will Allman comes in covering the back row, Darryl Veenendaal rotates, Mickey Waters comes in covering fly half and full back while Rueben Bird-Tulloch, DR with Saints provides backs cover.

Dave Ward offloads to Billy Johnson
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The hosts secured their first win and points of their Championship challenge with an 8 try win.

The initial exchanges were frantic with both sides crossing the gain line seemingly at will. On 4 minutes, Amps infringed at a breakdown in front of the posts allowing Carnegie’s fly half Joe Ford to opening the scoring with a simple penalty goal. Almost straight from the kick off the visitors, in turn, returned the compliment allowing A’s fly half Louis Grimoldby to equalise the scores in the 6th minute.

Louis Grimoldby slots a penalty to equalise for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

There wasn’t much obvious structure to be witnessed as the ball moved from end to end with both sides defence unable to cope.

The 18th minute saw lock Jon Kpoku break a couple of tackles inside the 5m line to touch down, Louis Grimoldby adding the extras.

Jon Kpoku opens the try scoring for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Just 2 minutes later Yorkshire Carnegie centre Daniel Lancaster (son of Stuart) finished a fine backs move wide on the left, Ford’s conversion shaving the wrong side of the posts.

Daniel Lancaster with the first of Carnegies tries…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The hosts responded from the kick off but a loose pass on half way was intercepted by Carnegie wing Tom Varndell in mid-field who ran untouched under the posts to score, Ford’s conversion bisecting the posts.

Sam Baker crosses the line for the first time this match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

With the visitors leading 10-15 the home side needed a response and it came from wing Sam Baker who scored twice in the space of 6 minutes. First, a line break and good inter passing in the 26th minute saw him free wide on the left, the cover unable to reach him to prevent the try. Louis Grimoldby was successful with the touchline conversion. Then, Carnegie failed to deal with the restart and Sam Baker again scampered down the left, this time Louis Grimoldby conversion drifted wide of the posts.

Joe Bercis hunting down the Carnegie attack…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

On 38 minutes, after a series of phases inside Carnegie’s 22 prop Aleki Lutui received short pass from scrum half Kevin Barrett at pace, carrying 2 defenders over the line he scored only for Louis Grimoldby to pull what looked a relatively easy kick wide leaving the score 27-15 at oranges. Ampthill’s first half bonus point being their first ever points at level 2.

Aleki Lutui crosses the line for Ampthill ensuing a bonus point
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Despite the lead, Amps connections would not have felt comfortable as the open game gave the visitors chances they were threatening to take.

Sure enough the 45th minute saw Carnegie produce a fine attack which employed backs & forwards seamlessly working together resulting in scrum half James Elliott touching down to the left of the posts, Ford converting.

Yorkshire Carnegie on the attack again
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

With the gap now just 5 points A’s needed to raise their game as the momentum was with the visitors.

Louis Grimoldby, whose kicking from hand was excellent when he tried it, sent the ball deep into Carnegie’s 22 in the 47th minute. The ensuing visiting line out was overthrown allowing hooker Dave Ward to crash over wide on the right, Louis Grimoldby’s conversion again sliding by.

Dave Ward powering over the line from an overthrow…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The next 20 minutes passed with both sides attacking in turn but the defences were holding firm. With 10 minutes to full time the hosts were camped deep in Carnegie’s 22. Eventually the ball came to Jon Kpoku on the 5m line who crashed through 2 defenders to score under the posts, replacement fly half Mickey Waters successful with the conversion.

Jon Kpoku crossing the line again
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The visitors now began to throw the ball around in search of a 4 try bonus point leaving more space.

On 74 minutes replacement prop Matthew Collins crashed over to the left of the posts after more concerted pressure inside the visitors 22, Mickey Waters adding the extras.

Matthew Collins showing he can follow the trend too…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Then, in the 78th minute, Mickey Waters gave a shoulder pass in mid-field to wing Sam Baker who broke the line. As he approached the last defender he found in support wing Josh Gillespie who scampered untouched under the posts, Mickey Waters adding the final points of the game.

Josh Gillespie flys over the line to close the try tally for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

A better performance by Ampthill particularly in the second half. Yorkshire Carnegie’s heads never dropped, continuing to attack right to end but they rarely threatened during the last half hour.

Final Score

Ampthill 53, Carnegie 22

“Very pleased to secure a bonus point victory in what is obviously a key game despite not playing well in the first half. The whole squad will be made aware, if they’re not already, that there is a great deal of work to be done if we’re to compete in this league.”
— Mark Lavery, Director of Rugby (Ampthill)
“I’m pleased that we demonstrated an attacking mind set throughout the game but I’m disappointed that, again, we failed to follow the plan, particularly in the first half. It was a better performance but there were still too many individual errors.”
— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)

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201911012 Ampthill 1st XV vs Nottingham

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Match Report

Ampthill 1st XV 20 - Nottingham 44, Greene King IPA Championship League

Ampthill were given a tough introduction to the Championship by a physical and clinical Nottingham side, trailing 13-17 with a minute to half time Amps conceded 3 more tries in the remainder of the game with the visitors dominating territory & possession.

Despite persistent overnight & morning rain the pitch looked perfect for running rugby as conditions remained dry while the absence of wind aided kicking from hand.

Aleki Lutui attacking the Nottingham line
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

The opening exchanges were pretty even including an exchange of penalty goals in the 17th & 18th minutes after both sides were penalised in front of the posts.

Nottingham made the first breakthrough on 23 minutes after a penalty against Ampthill for a breakdown offence was kicked inside the home 22 and a catch & drive was driven over, hooker Luke Cole credited with the score with the extras added by fly half Thomas Mathews.

Lock Llewleyn Jones crashed over from close range on 28 minutes after a repeat of the first try scenario saw Amps repel the maul, Mathews again successful with the conversion.

Sam Hanks intercepts a pass and takes off down the pitch
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Immediately from the kick off replacement centre Sam Hanks intercepted a loose pass just inside the Nottingham half scampering 45m to score wide on the left, Louis Grimoldby converting from the touch line.

Sam Hanks crosses the whitewash for Ampthills 1st Championship League try
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

A’s raised their game taking play to the visitors who proceeded to show their street smarts conceding 2 penalty goals (32 & 35 minutes, kicked by Louis Grimoldby) instead of conceding tries but avoiding the Yellow Cards that were to blight the remainder of the hosts performance.

With a minute to half time the home side were trailing 13-17 but a free kick inside Ampthill’s 22 was charged down leading to a score for Nottingham through blindside James Connolly, converted by Mathews.

Trailing 13-24 at oranges all was not lost but the hosts lost their way in the second as a series of errors gifted territory through penalties and possession through handling errors.

Mathews extended the visitors lead on 48 & 50 minutes with straight forward penalty goals before wing Ben Foley collected a grubber to score wide on the left in the 60th minute, Mathews continuing his 100% record with the boot.

Amps responded with their first controlled possession of the second half mounting sustained pressure inside the Nottingham 22 before replacement lock Jon Kpoku crashed over from close range on 63 minutes, Louis Grimoldby adding the extras.

Jon Kpoku forces his way across the line for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

Down to 14 players for the fourth time in the game A’s conceded a 5th try on 79 minutes trying to achieve the unlikely feat of going the length of the field from inside their own 22.

This was a hard lesson, there’ll be many more of them if Ampthill continue to play more than 40 minutes a man down, gift 20 unnecessary points and end up on the wrong side of 18-6 penalty count.

On the the plus side set piece was good with scrums even and lineouts much improved from the Bedford game.

Final Score

Ampthill 20, Nottingham 44

“For 39 minutes of the first half we were OK, the gifted try just before half time was a blow but it was the second half where we played in all the wrong areas and showed very poor discipline that was most disappointing. We played for more than 45 minutes with 14 men against an efficient, well drilled championship side and got what we deserved.”
— Mark Lavery, Director of Rugby (Ampthill)
“I’m disappointed that despite a good week spent preparing for Nottingham we sat back and watched them execute our game plan. There were too many individual errors which were punished by Nottingham”
— Paul Turner, Head Coach (Ampthill)

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