It's been a while since the Extras ran out onto a Dillingham Park pitch for a home match and not even the weather could dampen the excitement levels within the squad at the prospect of doing so.
Extras hosted Old Albanians' Gladiators, a team that have recently risen through the ranks of the HMMT league structure.
There was also a very welcome return for what is left of Extras & crowd favourite Adam Wilson.
Extras & Gladiators slugged it out for the full 80 mminutes, and despite the rain-sodden conditions there were some great displays of good rugby to keep the hardy fans entertained.
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.
With microphoned match officials, a 4g pitch and a gathering crowd, it was a great setting to get back to playing rugby.
Just before Christmas the @AmpthillExtras vs @OlneyRFC encounter ended pointless, yes a nil-nil draw after both teams slugged it out for eighty minutes on a windy day in Northamptonshire.
Nobody wanted to see that again. It certainly wasn't to go down as a one of the Extras' blockbusters classics for those involved or watching.
Oundle turned up to Dillingham Park with just 13 players so the Extras had to take to the field with just 14.
Despite being two players down, the 13 players of Oundle made up for this deficit with spirit. Within a few minutes, the visitors had broken the Extras defence and took the lead.
With Peterborough home games a rare occasion it was with great relief that the opposition made it along to Dillingham Park.
Fielding a strong pack and a fast back line, the Extras were well equipped to deal with what was put in front of them.
Playing in front if the clubhouse, Extras played the first half uphill. Quickly dominating possession it wasn’t long before fullback Shaun Wood was set on his way to score. The strike coming from a well executed backs move put Wood under the posts for an easy conversion, or so it would seem. Paddy proceeded to to take the conversion and strike the ball hard and straight into one of the post protectors narrowly missing the Peterborough players.
Shaun Wood opens the scoreline (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ampthill kept the pressure on and before long a pod move from a penalty resulted in a Chris Day try. The Peterborough players breathed a sigh of relief when they saw a change of kicker and Sean Martyn slotted over the conversion.
Chris Day scores from a pod move… (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Jamie Risebrow scored the next try after Martin Cooke managed somehow to control a spilled ball and Jamie chased to score after chipping the ball through. If only his girlfriend had arrived early enough to see his moment of glory, she arrived shortly after at half time only to see the substituted Risebrow leaving the field.
Jamie Risebrow showing he can make the difference even if unobserved by loved ones! (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
It was the first first game of the season for substitute Pearce Tomlinson. His first touch of the ball was a grounding for a try after chasing a well timed kick early in the second half.
Pearce Thomilinson in his first game and touch of the season crosses the line… (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Cookie was next to score after the Extras scrum drove over the 'Boro line.
James Little proving more than his name? Solid score. (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Dynamic James Little was next to score. Jamie Prosser had somehow taken over kicking duties, probably to make Paddy feel better. A second try for Cookie and a final try for Hayden Thomas, who had carried well throughout, gave the Extras a convincing 46-0 victory.
Cookie literally flying over the line to add to the Extras score… (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Peterborough, for their part, never gave up. They manged to steal a lot of Extras ball during the encounter and defended well for much if the game but the resolute Extras worked hard to keep their score to zero.
Hayden Thomas rounds out the game for Ampthill (Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
This was also the Extras first win in the written off East Midlands league this season and a great warm up for the Enfield/Ignations clash on Saturday.
