Match Report
Ampthill Jets 35-19 Old Northamptonians 1st XV
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In front of a decent size crowd, including the Club Chairman and Director of Rugby, a Jets squad aided and abetted by players from the 5ths, Extras and Pisporians squads took on an ONs side on the championship pitch at Ampthill.
Now, Coronvirus permitting, we go through to play Peterborough Lions in the final at Goldington Road – Bedford Blues ground next month. Last season Peterborough Lions were playing National League rugby, the Jets were playing Herts and Middlesex Merit tables rugby against 2nd and 3rd teams!
Fortunately, the government’s planned stay at home and isolate policy for the older generation has not yet been introduced otherwise half the Jets forwards today would have been in quarantine!
Scrummaging though is what props Spavs ‘the fridge’ and Phil ‘the immovable object’ Donbavand love doing and they not only provided the platform for a domineering scrum they were also prominent in the loose, not bad seeing as their combined age nearly warrants a telegram from the Queen! Donbers found himself in space at one stage before his agoraphobia kicked in!
ONs started the game strong with good ball retention, leading to several Jets indiscretions and it was from a quick tap penalty that the opening try was scored by ONs for a 0-7 lead. This seemed to inspire the Jets though and soon after right-wing James Kearns (shirt sponsor Webb and Company) bagged the Jets first try converted by full-back Will Norford (shirt sponsor Castle Lane Garage) one of 5 successful conversions by Will for a 100% record on the day. All Jets towards the end of the first half and it was frustrating to be held up over the line in the last play of the half.
The second half saw a really dominating spell from the Jets, leading to Kearn’s second try plus tries from Spavs (shirt sponsor Sky Line) and skipper Eric Edwin (shirt sponsored by RD Designs) and the Jets looked like they were coasting at 28-7.
But ONs fought back strongly with 2 more tries of their own. As the picture shows it took a try from 6 inches out for backs coach Colin Liddell (shirt sponsor Laser Swat) to settle the Jets nerves.
Fantastic performance with the Jets now into both the Bedfordshire and East Midlands Cup finals, not bad for a third XV. Man of the match could have gone to Pete Smith for an absolutely lung-busting performance in both defence and attack, but the old softie in me says Simon Spavins has to have it – for not only a great performance but also earlier in the day leading his Under 14s to East Midlands Cup glory. Well done Spavs and the 14s. Come on you Jets.
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Colin Liddel pounces on a loose ball over the line but was denied the score due to prior landing by ON's number 11.
Colin Liddel pounces on a loose ball over the line but was denied the score due to prior landing by ON's number 11.
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Will Norford converts the first try for Ampthill Jets
Tom Clark with a nifty offload in the tackle.
Simon Spavions with an excellent example of Old School 'Route 1' in action!
Phil Donbavand following Simon Spavins lead
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
A costly fummble of the ball at lineout for ON's.
Isaac Jabri viying for a career change to Winger
Who says Props can't run? Phil Donbavand goes on a sprint with Simon Spavins in support.
Who says Props can't run? Phil Donbavand goes on a sprint with Simon Spavins in support.
Bill Ward has a run through the ON's defence and nearly looses his shorts!
Stopped just short of the line Bill Ward sets up the ruck for Ampthill.
First injury of the day - the cornor flag!
ON's win their own lineout just off the line
Ampthill Jets force the requisite maul on just off the line
Phil Donbavand following the Simon Spavins school of Strategy - Route 1
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Eric Edwin on the attack for Ampthill Jets
Tom Clark on the attack for Ampthill Jets again
Isaac Jabri gets the ball away an into play again
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Will Norford on the attack for Ampthill Jets
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Adam Shelley on the hunt
Will Norford running free yet again
Adam Shelley reacting to the ball away from the scrum
Adam Shelley acts as a Land Anchor in order to slow the ON's attack
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Rugby is a friendly sport - give us a cuddle!
ON's clear the ruck
Josh Burton wins the lineout for Ampthill Jets
Adam Shelley clearing out the ruck for Ampthill Jets
Simon Spavins on the ramage again for Ampthill Jets
Bill Ward testing the ON's defence
Alex Crawford tries his luck
Josh Burton holding fast for Ampthill Jets at the ruck
Pete Smith first in at the ruck for Ampthill Jets
Josh Burton gets caught during an attacking foray...
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Will Norford on the attack for Ampthill Jets
Will Norford on the attack for Ampthill Jets
Will Norford on the attack for Ampthill Jets
Simon Spavins buried under the bodies somewhere but it still counts as a try!
Will Norford prepares for another conversion attempt
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Eric Edwin makes a length break for Ampthill Jets
Eric Edwin makes a length break for Ampthill Jets
James Kearns on his way to the line and a try for Ampthill Jets
Will Norford kicking yet another conversion for Ampthill Jets
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ben Parry causing havoc with the ON's defence
Josh Burton wins the lineout for Ampthill Jets
Wilkinson junior manages to offload in the tackle
Tom Clark showing natural apitude as a Soccer player
ON's with a clear take at the lineout
Simon Spavins eyes the ball at a ruck like an unattended beer
Josh Burton with yet another clean win at the lineout.
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Eric Edwin storms the field sliding through the ON lines
Eric Edwin storms the field sliding through the ON lines
Eric Edwin slides unopposed across the line under the posts for Ampthil Jets
Will Norford slots yet another conversion for Ampthil Jets
Chairman, Manager and Director of Rugby all watch as the Jets prove their name.
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Andy Hill showing that a draft from the Extras can still prove it's worth
Jack Wilkinson absorbing a huge hit from the ON's defence
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Eric Edwin tries to break through the ON lines
ON's win the lineout
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Jack Wilkinson reaches for a ball just out of reach!
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Jack Wilkinson breaks the ON's lines
Jack Wilkinson breaks the ON's lines
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Jack Wilinkson underestimates the effect of his Aftershave
Jack Wilinkson underestimates the effect of his Aftershave
Andy Hills offloads in the tackle to Eric Edwin
James Kearns manages to fumble the ball and therefore miss out on a try for Ampthill Jets
James Kearns manages to fumble the ball and therefore miss out on a try for Ampthill Jets
Ampthill Jets host Old Northamptonians for the Semi-Final of the EMRU Senior Cup
Eric Edwin lands on the line but denied a try as the Referee was unsighted!
Eric Edwin lands on the line but denied a try as the Referee was unsighted!
Collin Liddell scores for Ampthill
Collin Liddell scores for Ampthill
Will Norford slots the ball through the posts once again for Ampthill
Will Norford juggles a trick ball
Simon Spavins in no moood for compromise...
Jack Wilkinson looks on in horror as the secrets of his aftershave are demonstrated...
Jack Wilkinson looks on in horror as the secrets of his aftershave are demonstrated...