19th
November 2005
Dunstablians 3rd XV 0 - Ampthill Extras 41
You couldn’t have asked much more from the Extras after a fine performance that saw Dunstablians out played in every department by the travelling Ampthill team.
Things were not looking too good before the game as it soon became clear that the referee had not been informed that the kick off time had been brought forward ahead of the England international. Dunstablians skipper volunteered to do the job. Fortunately it was not a repeat of the previous week and the home team’s referee did a superb job of officiating the match.
Ampthill kicked off, the forwards swarmed Dunstablians and it very quickly became apparent that the Extras had the upper hand. Soon after, Richard Mardle ran in the first Extras try despite being tackled as he crossed the line. With the conversion successful the Extras’ tails were up and there was no relenting from there on in.
Ampthill’s pack were awesome as they cleared Dunstable’s forwards from rucks and drove several mauls upwards of twenty metres. In the set pieces they presented quality possession to the backs as the totally dominated the scrums and had much the better of their opposition in the line outs too.
Ampthill’s second try came when Adam Wilson broke clear from the back of a maul and charged to line, crossing with a couple of Dunstable players hanging on to him but unable to stop him.
Terry Nelson was next to score after good supporting work which gave the Extras a nineteen to nil lead at the break.
The second half of the match went much the same way as the first. Tries came for John Roberts centre Darren Jones. Then there was a try for Matt Troiano. The scrum half ran in a try after a drive from the Ampthill forwards. Michael Churchouse crossed the try line after he received the ball from Darren Oatley. However, the Kiwi was unaware He was over the line and passed the ball to a surprised Richard Mardle who grounded the ball to get his second of the afternoon.
The match was generally played in a good spirit and the Dunstablians did not give up and they fought to the final whistle.
A performance like this will be needed if the Extras are to claim a victory against top of the table BBOBs when they host them at home in a fortnight’s time.
Forwards: Adam Wilson, Dave Tomkins, Darren Oatley, Justin Cobley, John Roberts, Liam Duffin, Richard Beasley, Chris Denton
Backs: Matt Troiano, Gareth Williams, Tom Read, Darren Jones, Ian Browning, Richard Mardle, Rob Hill
Subs: Michael Churchouse, Gez Ingarfield, Jurrien Heynen, Chris Denton, Chris Hopgood
Cons: Darren Jones (3)
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