Match Report
Harpenden Squad: 56, Ampthill Extras 21
Match Store: Store
Despite setting off north up the M1 to travel south to Hertfordshire, Lewis Cooper managed to arrive just before kick-off to give the Extras a squad of 28 to face a strong Harpenden club squad.
Ampthill Extras managed to field a 28 strong squad to meet Harpenden.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
With microphoned match officials, a 4g pitch and a gathering crowd, it was a great setting to get back to playing rugby.
Harpenden provided a premium experience for Ampthill with radio microphones for the officials and a 4G pitch.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The Extras kicked off to start the match, the ball was taken cleanly by home team and the onslaught began. Despite some big hits going in from the Ampthill boys, the Hertfordshire outfit held dominated possession. Within just a few minutes and the Extras barely getting a touch of the ball, Harpenden were two tries up.
Harpenden waste no time in taking the battle to Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ampthill finally got the ball in hand. Strong running from debutant Joe Barker broke Ampthill through the Harpenden defence and they worked their way up the pitch. This passage of play culminated in James Little being brought down just shy of the home team’s try line.
James Little denied glory at the last minute.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
It was clear that Ampthill were up against a squad of players competing for Harpenden 1st team places. Harpenden soon got possession and their dominance was a feature of the first half. Ampthill players were putting in hit after hit but the strength of Harpenden’s team left the Extras 49-0 down at half time.
A change of teams by both squads was the order of play. The second half saw the sun break free from it’s cloudy shackles and so too the Extras fightback.
The Extras were now in the driving seat. Within a few minutes of the restart some great interplay saw Will Norford darting through the Harpenden defence to score the Extras first try. Converting his own try the Extras now had points on the board.
Will Norford opens the score line for Ampthill Extras…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Harpenden responded with another try of their own, though this was to be the last that they would register for the afternoon.
As the match was into the last quarter, captain Andy Hill charged over the line for Ampthill’s second and Will Norford duly converted.
Andy Hills proving that the front line can shift all the way to the line.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The final, and arguably the most popular try by crowd reaction, came from Tom Watson. Watto, from his own half, somehow weaved between Harpenden defenders before putting on the after burners on in a spectacular sprint for the line.
Tom Watson crosses the line after sprinting from almost his own 10 yard line to score for Ampthill Extras…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Norford converted giiving the a more respectable 56-21 final scoreline.
Will Norford adds the final points of the game for Ampthill Extras…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The scoreline can be deceiving and certainly does not reflect the commitment that the entire Extras squad put in for the full 80 minutes of this encounter.
Final Result
Harpdenden 1st/2nd XV: 56, Ampthill Extras: 21
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