Ampthill Come Out On Top At Dillingham Park

With the score at oranges at 33 – 3 to the hosts, it looked like DMPRFC were still having a lie-in at the hotel, as Ampthill ran in 5-tries for a deserved lead at the interval.

If it had been anyone other than the visitors, the game would have been over at that stage.

However, DMPRFC have faced similar half-time mountains to climb and true to form the second half fight back materialised, with Ampthill in the end having to hang on for the win.

Having said all that, DMPRFC need to switch on from the first minute, not just away from home, but also at The Northern Echo Arena, as to catch up from such deficits is certainly not the way forward.

The Ampthill pack which turned out at Olney Field yesterday contained some very solid citizens, including giant ex- International prop Soane TONGAUIHA, the larger than life ex-DMPRFC International lock Piano HEHEA, the much vaunted and future England prospect, lock Jonathan KPOKU (dual registered with Saracens RFC), current International hooker Samson MA’ASI (dual registered with Northampton Saints RFC and replacement lock Alex COLES (dual registered with Northampton Saints RFC).

As a result, DMPRFC found it tough going and as a result were outgunned at scrum, lineout and maul.

The home side lost prop Matthew COLLINS to injury after only 11 minutes, but in replacement Karl GARSIDE, there was no reduction in impetus up front.

However, it was one of the lesser torsos of Ampthill who initiated the scoring, with wing Sam BAKER finishing off an attack wide out (5 – 0), which full back James PRITCHARD failed to convert.

Fly half Garry LAW, occupying that birth due to a late illness cry off by Warren SEALS, registered DMPRFC’s first points with a 40-metre penalty. (5 – 3)

Ampthill’s next score came from lock KPOKU after a series of pick and drives from their pack (10 – 3), PRITCHARD slotting the conversion this time. (12 – 3)

This was shortly followed by a Maama MOLITIKA try, who dotted down after DMPRFC failed to control a strong maul by the home side (17 – 3), PRITCHARD adding the extras (19 – 3)

The fourth and bonus point try was scored by hooker Aleki LUTUI, who scored from close range as DMPRFC seemed powerless to stop the Ampthill pack (24 – 3), PRITCHARD converting (26 – 3).

Any contribution DMPRFC tried to make to the game was marred by multiple mistakes and penalties conceded and perhaps it was no surprise that Ampthill added a 5th try before the break, when wing Spencer SUTHERLAND touched down after a break and chip through from scrum half and Ampthill Player of the Match, Kevin BARRETT (31 – 3), PRITCHARD converting (33 – 3).

So not a pretty score line for the ‘Men from the North’ as the players trudged off the field, preparing for the deserved barrage they were due to receive for the 40-minute poor display.

Whatever was said had the initial desired affect, as within four minutes DMPRFC responded with their first try, winger Shaun McCartney scampering powerfully and unopposed from his own half to the Ampthill line (33 – 8), LAW converting. (33 - 10)

Had Ampthill not responded at that stage, the final result may have been a lot closer and home connections were pleased to see LUTUI score his second try, when on the end of a trademark catch and drive from a lineout, (38 – 10) PRITCHARD adding another conversion to his tally, (40 – 10) as the game entered the 50th minute.

In the next 15 minutes, DMPRFC began to play in their ambitious attempt to close the gap, which coincided with the home side experiencing fatigue from their previous exertions.

First Shaun McCARTNEY added to his first score (40 – 15) and although LAW failed with the conversion, within another 2 minutes, DMPRFC’s other winger Brandon ASHER-WOOD added the visitor’s third try, LAW converting (40 – 22).

DMPRFC were in the ascendancy at this stage of the game and when centre Callum MACKENZIE added the visitor’s fourth and bonus point try after 67 minutes, (40 – 27), converted by LAW (40 – 29), the fight back seemed achievable.

Ampthill however, had other ideas and lifted their game in the time remaining and with no further scoring from either side, they held on for their win.