22nd
October 2005
Ampthill Extras 34 – Luton 3rd XV 24
Just three days shy of their 30th year anniversary it was quite apt that the Extras not only won this encounter with Luton but put in one of their finest performances in the process.
After just a few minutes Rob Hill, who denies having played in the Extras’ first ever match in 1975, scored early on to give the Extras the lead. This was to be short lived.
Luton put out a pack of huge lumps that man for man were bigger than Ampthill’s forward. This weight advantage worked well for the visiting team in the rucks and mauls but the Extras had the better of them in the set pieces. It was clear this was going to be a tough contest.
Luton replied quickly with a try of their own scored by the scrum half who reached over a mass of players to ground the ball. Unfortunately for Luton the referee was unsighted and the try not awarded. Luton however continued their pressure and scored a try shortly after. Luton then took the lead with a second try set up after several players failed to bring down the Luton rhino charging up the wing. Wilky eventually brought down the big fella but enough support was there for the try to be completed.
John Kitchiner as he so often does, burst through to score and put the Extras level by the half time interval. At half time with the prospect of playing uphill in the second half and only drawing the match nobody could have been blamed for thinking that after only their second league game the |Extras would still be rooted to the bottom of their league with just two points for turning up.
Ampthill Extras couldn’t have hoped for a better start when Ian Browning burst down the wing outpacing Luton defenders to score. The Extras pack were right behind him should he have been stopped en route, all he would have had to do was pop the pass behind him a mere forty yards. Ampthill were back on top. Again Luton hit back with another try. With this converted Luton now took the lead.
Ampthill continued to battle hard against Luton. John Roberts battle hard against Luton and Ampthill. Somehow he managed to see to it that his own prop Darren Oatley would have to leave the pitch to have a gash on the head treated after a head butt. The Extras now had to up the work rate to get anything from this match. John Wilkinson came up with the goods. A chip over the heads of the Luton defence and a chase that ended with Wilky being taken out, off the ball, before he had a chance to ground it resulted in a penalty try. With the conversion successful Ampthill were now in the lead 24–17. Could this have secured the victory for the Extras? No chance. Luton hit back with a try to level the scores.
It was now time for one of those moments that will be remembered for a long time. With Ampthill just outside Luton’s twenty two, the ball came loose and somehow ended up in the hands of Kitch. He burst through to score under the points. The players and thousands of fans (well thirty two) were elated. This must surely have sealed the victory! The last few minutes of the match seemed like hours for the home team as Luton desperately tried to come back at them. The Extras defence held out and with Luton doing themselves no favours with the referee Luton were held out.
Then, something very strange to Extras rugby happened. A penalty was awarded to the Extras just inside Luton’s twenty two metre line. John Wilkinson pointed to the posts, put the ball on the ground then kicked it between the upright posts and over the cross bar. The Extras had scored a penalty! Can you remember the last time the Extras scored a penalty. For that matter very few can probably remember the last time a penalty kick was even taken. This put the game out of Luton’s reach and moments later when the referee blew his whistle there was joy and relief for the home team.
Next week the Extras travel to Northampton Heathens for their next league match. Heathens have already suffered heavy defeats to BBOBs and Bugbrooke. Confidence will be high for the Extras going into this one.
Forwards: Adam Wilson, Gez Ingarfield, Darren Oatley, Tom Read, John Roberts, Liam Duffin, Chris Wood, John Wood
Backs: Leigh Clark, John Wilkinson, John Kitchiner, Steve Marsden, Ian Browning, Richard Mardle, Rob Hill
Subs: David Backhouse, Michael Churchouse, Jurrien Heynen, James Chapman, Dave Peck
Cons: John Wilkinson (3)
Pen: John Wilkinson