Sat  3^rd April 04
Ampthill Extras 22 – Dunstablian 3^rd XV 21     

Boys Dun Good. 

At last, after what seemed like months, the Extras had a home game. In a rearranged fixture, local rivals Dunstable were the visitors. The Extras performed wonders and those that turned up to watch left thoroughly satisfied, all seven of them. 

The game didn’t start too well for Ampthill when only after a few minutes Rob Hill failed to clear a ball into touch that was gathered up by the opposition and carried over the line. With the conversion it was seven nil to Dunstable.  

The Ampthill pack, dominant throughout, fought back. After a strong forward drive, captain for the day Shaun Wood crossed the line. Seven five. Dunstable hit back with another try that was duly converted to extend their lead. It was then the turn of centre John Kitchiner to get his try as he burst through the Dunstable defence.  Unconverted, the Extras trailed by four points. Shortly afterwards, a very bemused Kitch was sent to the sin bin along with a Dunstable player for what could only be interpreted as the referee’s need to use his new cards that he’d probably recently received as a birthday present. 

At the start of the second half the Extras trailing by four points new they would have to battle hard for a victory. Fresh on the field, Gareth Williams, with his first touch of the ball, scored a try with a strong run up the right wing. The Extras took the lead.  

Ampthill were now on a roll. Victory was all but secured when after a breakdown from an attack, the unlikely combination of Liam Duffin, John Roberts and Terry Nelson formed a back line to set Richard Mardle up for his first Extras try. 

For the last seven minutes the Extras were hindered when Mark Loan was sin binned for retaliation. The referee was well and truly getting value from his shiny new cards. 

Dunstable fought back well in the dying moments and despite some excellent Extras defence, the Dunstable full back broke through to make the final score a twenty two to twenty one points victory for the Extras.  

Tries:          Shaun Wood, John Kitchiner, Gareth Williams, Richard Mardle 

Cons:          Shaun Wood