Match Report
Ampthill Jets 25-22 Maidenhead 2nd XV
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Jets, in the absence of head coach Jonny, were led into this Raging Bull Shield fixture by Colin Liddell and a narrow 3 point victory meant that the Jets leap-frogged their opponents into 5th place.
With usual skipper Eric being unavailable Simon Spavins captained the side and it was his game management which led to Jets taking points when on offer leading to the victory.
Maidenhead kicked off and flanker Jack Wilkinson caught the ball and carried hard through several tackles. This was one of several excellent carries by Wilkinson during the match. Soon the Jets took a scrum against the head and that wise old owl Phil Lane, playing at 8, knew to pick and go left quickly. Ball soon recycled and regular try scorer Isaac Carlos Jabri (shirt sponsor Wardown Engineering Ltd) went over for the try, excellently converted into the wind by centre Will Norford (shirt sponsor CJ Drylining) and a 7-0 lead.
Issac Carlos Jabri heading for the line and the opening try for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
After such an early dominant carry, strike against the head and converted try Jets looked like being in for an easy day- wrong!
A mistake by the Jets at back of a scrum and it was soon 7-7, worse to follow was another Maidenhead try after concerted pressure in the corner, brilliantly converted from out wide by the Maidenhead kicker.
Maidenhead breach Ampthill’s defences for a try…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Next try was score of the day. 8th man Lane picked off the back of a scrum and set off on the blindside. Phil was talking to his teammates as he ran to draw the defender before passing to full back James Kearns (shirt sponsored sponsor Castle Lane Garage) for a try right in the corner.
Phil Lane makes a break drawing the Maidenhead defence with him…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Jets were now in the ascendancy in scrums but struggling in the lineout. It was from another scrum where the next try came from. The ball was not easy for Jabs who passed under pressure to Colin who in turn found centre Paul Mason ( shirt sponsor RD Designs). Mase looped around the defence for a score again converted by Norford and a 19 -14 lead by the Jets.
Paul Mason crossing the line for Ampthill’s third try of the match…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
There was just time for the Maidenhead kicker to slot over a penalty leaving it tight at oranges 19-17.
Big speeches in the half time huddle as the Jets knew this would be a close outcome. It was with this in mind that led Captain Spavs ask Norford twice to take penalties on offer and an 8 point lead: 26-17. Maidenhead weren't finished though and from a catch and drive scored the final try of the day.
Will Norford preparing for a penalty…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
With a 3 point lead Ampthill needed to close the match out and they did by pinning their opponents in their own 22 and keeping a tight defence.
Maidenhead performed better in the lineouts…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
So a victory but at a price with injuries to teenagers Ethan and Harley, get well soon lads and big thanks to Clare our physio on the day for looking after them both. Man of the match could have gone to any number of players, especially the aforementioned Wilkinson and Lane but my choice goes to a 2nd half replacement back George Diffey who played a blinder in his short time on the pitch.
Arguably the best ball boy of the match with tireless work throughout…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Busy 3 weeks ahead for the Jets, next week home in the league against Old Albanians, then away at Leighton Buzzard in the Beds Cup semi final and finally a Sunday fixture at home versus Old Northamptonians in the East Midlands Cup semi.
Phew, with injuries and other unavailability we will be hoping to use all the amateur playing resource at the club to get through. Come on you Jets.
