Sat 12^th January 02
Ampthill Extras 32 - Hinckley 3rds 17 

Ball off the woodwork, Extras off the mark 

The Extras came out victors in their first game for almost a month avenging a previous defeat with a hard fought victory over Leicestershire side Hinckley. 

Playing uphill in the first half Ampthill failed to score before the visitors had scored two tries and a conversion to give them a twelve point lead. Both tries came from the Hinckley backs boasting two very strong wingers. 

From here on in the Extras defence tightened up to prevent Hinckley scoring any further tries until late in the game. It wasn’t until the end of the first half that the Extras got the break they needed. Tom Gray started a move which then saw the ball passed down the line arriving to Steve Marsden who ran over for the home team’s first points. 

At the start of the second half Steve scored a drop-goal, which eventually went over after bouncing off the upright and the crossbar narrowing the Hinckley lead even further. Tom Gray was next to score after having previous chances denied by the solid Hinckley defence. 

The Ampthill forwards had now taken control in the rucks and mauls and were constantly driving forward in second and third phases to gain ground on the visitors. 

Steve Marsden scored his second try of the game after shaking off the attention of  Hinckley’s rather large winger.  

Gareth Williams was next to score after a charging run through several Hinckley players by Gavin Griffith. This left Gareth clear to score just wide of the posts. 

Tom Gray scored his second to put the game well out of reach of the visitors. 

Hinckley, who never gave up were rewarded with a try for their efforts before the end of the game. There were some huge hits by the Ampthill backs that denied Hinckley any more than this one second half try. 

Paul Ratcliffe came very close to scoring after collecting a loose ball and running seventy yards only to be outpaced by a defending Hinckley back and tackled just short of the line.

Two Hinckley players prevented Paul from getting up and Ampthill were awarded a penalty. Prop Jason Massingham was brought down just short of the try line after a charge from the resultant penalty. 

There was an Extras debut for openside flanker Peter Cowell who was ever present at the breakdown in the second half.

Tries:           Steve Marsden (2), Tom Gray (2) Gareth Williams

Cons:           Steve Marsden (2)

Drop Goal:  Steve Marsden