Ampthill secured their first league win since early December, securing an impressive bonus point win against Chinnor at Kingsey Road, to move level on points with the hosts in the RFU Championship in the process.
Speaking on his side’s impressive away performance, Ampthill head coach Paul Turner said, ‘We had a gameplan, we kept to it, we kicked well and our half backs played really well. In the first 20 minutes of the second half we were poor, but we held our nerve, and you can’t moan at a bonus point win away from home”.
After an early penalty slotted by Josh Barton five minutes into the contest, the host’s converted their early pressure into the first try of the match. Chinnor full back Connor Slevin surged into the open space on halfway and after a superb exchange between Ryan Crowley and Thomas Watson, the later finished with ease under no pressure. George Worboys converted to give Chinnor a 7-3 lead after 18 minutes.
Despite Chinnor’s pressure, the momentum began to turn towards Ampthill ten minutes before half time, scoring their first try of the afternoon to lead by 3 points. After The Mob’s rolling maul was collapsed by Harry Dugmore, the referee gave the visitors a penalty try, and the Chinnor No.6 was also shown a yellow card.
The Mob extended their lead to 10 points just two minutes later, after a loose Isaiah Wharton pass off the back of the scrum was intercepted by scrum half Rory Morgan. The Welshman had the speed to dot down underneath the posts, and following a simple Josh Barton conversion, Ampthill led 17-10.
Ampthill hammered home their advantage in the 35th minute, scoring their 3rd try to take a 24-7 lead into the half time break. Chinnor fly-half George Worboys forced the pass out wide, and was picked off by Ampthill centre Sione Va’enuku, who raced away from the covering Chinnor defence to secure Ampthill’s second intercept score in the space of four minutes.
The hosts started the second half on the front foot, and were rewarded with their second score of the afternoon in the 44th minute. After building phases deep inside the Ampthill 22, the ball was spread out to George Worboys, who strolled across the try line with no covering defenders in his way. Worboys failed to convert his own try, meaning Chinnor still trailed 12-24.
Chinnor continued to pile on the pressure, and scored their 3rd try of the afternoon in the 52nd minute, to reduce the arrears to 5 points. After a dominant rolling maul, Chinnor flanker George Stokes dived across the line from close range, and following a successful conversion from George Worboys, the hosts trailed 19-24.
Ampthill defended brilliantly in the remaining minutes, and following a second Josh Barton penalty in the 75th minute, Mason Cullen scored Ampthill’s 4th try of the match two minutes later to secure the bonus point victory. A Rory Morgan box kick was allowed to bounce, and after the Chinnor winger failed to spot the run of Cullen, he took the ball and raced down the touchline to score. Ampthill stopped Chinnor from getting any bonus points in the latter stages, despite a very late yellow card to Rory Morgan for a deliberate knock on.
Speaking on his side’s impressive away performance, Ampthill head coach Paul Turner said, ‘We had a gameplan, we kept to it, we kicked well and our half backs played really well. In the first 20 minutes of the second half we were poor, but we held our nerve, and you can’t moan at a bonus point win away from home”.
Ampthill Points Scorers
Tries: Penalty 30, Morgan 32, Va’enuku 36, Cullen 77
Conversions: Barton 34, 37
Penalties: Barton 5, 75
Player of the Match: Rory Morgan
