3rd
December 2005
Ampthill Extras 34 – Northampton BBOBs 2nd XV 17
A cracking match at Dillingham Park saw the Ampthill Extras avenge the defeat they suffered at the start of the season when they went down forty one points to nil away to BBOBs. Since that first game of the season ‘The Bobs’ had gone on to win all their league matches and establish themselves firmly at the top of the league table.
Many of the Extras had targeted this match as the one to win and as soon as the game started they showed they were well up for the challenge. For several minutes the Extras laid siege to the Bobs’ try line but the visitors defence was solid and it seemed there was no route through. The deadlock was broken when The Major made a break, sold a dummy to most of the defending Bobs only to change direction and set up Adam Wilson for a try.
The Extras’ tails were now well and truly up. The forwards were starving the Bobs of possession. Justin Cobley was particularly impressive in the line out with hooker Gez Ingarfield hitting his target with nearly every throw in throughout the match.
Ian Browning was next to gain points for the Extras when he scored twice in succession to break his own try drought he has been suffering. With Leigh Clark converting two of the tries the Extras were even surprised themselves having a nineteen points lead this early in the game.
The Bobs played hard throughout and now pressured Ampthill as they tried to get back into the game. The Extras, now pushed back, had to survive scrums and line outs in their own twenty two. The Bobs were awarded a penalty that they kicked into touch. Justin Cobley won the resulting line out, the ball was quickly passed back to fly half Leigh Clark who decided to run the ball instead of kicking clear. The Bobs were caught on the hop. The ball made its way down the line and despite the opposition getting a hand to one of the passes the ball ended up in Matt Troiano’s hands and he ran into the corner to score.
Four tries to nil up at half time the Extras fancied their chances of victory despite the up hill challenge the second half would bring.
And the Extras were definitely up for it. From a line out about fifteen metres from the Bob’s line Matt Taylor caught the ball and touched down to score from the ensuing forwards’ drive.
Things got even better when substitute Gareth Williams scored in the corner after only his second touch, his first touch he’d sooner forget!! The Extras pretty much had the game in the bag with a thirty four point to nil lead midway through the second half.
The Bobs never gave up and the three tries they scored at the end of the match showed why they were top of the league table.
Forwards: Adam Wilson, Gez Ingarfield, Darren Oatley, Justin Cobley, Matt Taylor, Liam Duffin, Chris Denton, Terry Nelson
Backs: Phil Stanton, Leigh Clark, Dave Tomkins, John Kitchiner, Ian Browning, Matt Troiano, Rob Hill
Subs: Neil Fordham, Chris Hopgood, Gareth Williams, David Backhouse, Tom Read
Cons: Leigh Clark (2)