On what proved to be not one of the best days in English rugby, DMPRFC suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of Ampthill & District RFC (32 – 20), who remain unbeaten and with the 5 league points, are currently in the gold medal position at the top of the league.

Ampthill & District RFC deserved their victory, as after a very promising start, DMPRFC again failed to realise their obvious potential, with numerous handling errors in a frenetic performance.

Although only a recent history between the two clubs, the encounters with their hosts have always been close affairs, with few points separating the sides at the final whistle.

With the preparations for the imminent arrival of the World Champion All Blacks in full flow back at the Northern Echo Arena, the visit to was the third away game on the trot for the visitors and the fourth in 5 games.

Although certainly a great honour to have the best team in the world visit a North East club, the lack of home club advantage has had some effect on the introduction of the new players, who have been starved of the ‘Mowden Family’ feeling in the Arena.

The fine margins involved in the winning or conversely the losing of games at this level of rugby are a big factor and home advantage is definitely one of those factors.

The game started well for DMPRFC, which was what had been lacking in several games so far, however, the lack of the ability to turn possession into points in the first half remained a feature.

For ten minutes, the visitors threw everything at their hosts, but just when a try seemed inevitable after a continuous assault on the line, a loose pass to release an overlap went to ground.

This allowed the hosts to clear their lines and on their very first foray into the DMPRFC half, the visitors were penalised at a ruck and against the run of play, winger Elliot Clements-Hill kicked the first points of the game (3 – 0).

Not to be outdone, DMPRFC continued where they left off and fly half Garry LAW returned the compliment, when the hosts themselves were similarly penalised, with a well struck penalty in reply (3 – 3).

With flanker Joe CRAGGS making his long awaited spot in the starting line-up for the club, fellow flanker Luca PETILLO returning from an injury and dual registered lock Toby SALMON making his debut, DMPRFC looked the more likely to score the first try.

However, a well drilled Ampthill outfit thought differently and gradually took a stranglehold of the game, edging their way closer to the DMPRFC line.

DMPRFC found themselves somewhat unlucky for Ampthill’s first try, when the official awarded a penalty try at scrum time, when the piece went to ground on a first occasion, when it may have been fairer to reset and then award the sanction should it have happened again (8 – 3). The conversion from Clements-Hill was easy (10 – 3).

Unfortunately, the scrum was a problem all day. Not for either set of forwards, but for the amount of resets called by the official, which must have taken up 20 minutes of total play time in the game.

The lineout was a pretty even affair all day and although Clements-Hill added another penalty (13 – 3) after another ten minutes of play, it was Ampthill were in the ascendancy.

This was further underlined when DMPRFC centre Ben FRANKLAND received a yellow card for handling on the floor.

Depleted in numbers, DMPRFC were on the back foot and were punished for this indiscretion, when home No. 8 Darrell Dyer crashed over after a series of pick and drives (18 – 3). The conversion was successful from Clements-Hill (20 – 3) and again DMPRFC found themselves facing an almost 20 point deficit at oranges.

Perhaps with this in mind, it was some comfort for the travelling supporters, when just before the break, DMPRFC mounted one final attack which saw scrum half Bruno BRAVO nip over for a try (20 – 8), expertly converted by Garry LAW (20 – 10).

With the trek through the woods to the changing rooms not an option at Ampthill, both sides remained on the pitch at the interval as the respective coaches galvanised their teams for the second half.

On resumption of play, it was the worst possible start for the visitors, as home prop Jack Culverhouse crashed over after (25 – 10) after a series of forward pick and drives. Again the metronomic Clements-Hill added the extras (27 – 10).

With 3 tries in the bag, Ampthill pushed for the fourth and bonus point try, but with the introduction of another DMPRFC debutant in full back Ed COULSON, the next try was for the visitors, when the home side were themselves reduced in numbers via a touch judge flag and Ampthill centre Elliott Reeder binned for foul play.

From the resultant penalty and forwards catch and drive, the ball found its way to COULSON, who dived over for the score (27 – 15).

Not to be outdone, Ampthill got the bonus point try on 52 minutes, when Elliot Clements-Hill scored on the overlap wide out (32 – 15) but this time failed to convert his own score.

In the last quarter, DMPRFC to their credit, threw ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ at Ampthill, who initially stood firm.

During this period, Ampthill persistently infringed at the contact area, slowing the ball down, without sanction from the official.

In fact on one occasion in the last play, in a length of the field period of possession, Ampthill must have given away 7 penalties, without sanction in an effort to prevent DMPRFC making inevitable progress towards their line. Not one word of warning was issued to the home side during this push for a try, but the try deservedly came, when hooker Simon Uzokwe crashed over (32 – 20).

The final whistle followed.

Many congratulations to Ampthill & District RFC who were well worth their victory.

DMPRFC are again on the road again at Wharfedale RFC next week and will need to start picking up league points, with plenty on offer in the next 25 games.

Ampthill & District RFC
Tries - Penalty Try (20), Dyer (34), Culverhouse (42), Clements-Hill 52
Conversions - Clements-Hill (21, 35, 43)
Penalties - Clements-Hill (11, 29)

DMPRFC
Tries - Bravo (40), Coulson (48), Uzokwe (80)
Conversions:- Law (41)
Penalties - Law (13)

Referee - Dan Parrott
Attendance - 195