8^th October 2005
Ampthill Extras 14 – Dunstablians 10

What a fantastic game to win. It was clear from the start that there was nothing more than Dunstablians wanted than to put one over their local rivals Ampthill. While Ampthill first team are struggling a league below ‘Ds’ it is a different story at third team level. In a pool fixture against Dunstable ‘fourths’, a phone call to say that D’s third team was coming over (as a result of a cancellation) meant the Extras were in for a match. The Ds third team came over with an abundance of subs while the Extras only had two. Both of these subs would play no part in the Extras match as they were brought into the second team game on the other home pitch. 

The match from the start was a very tough encounter. Playing up hill the Extras found themselves two tries to one at half time. Ian Browning scored a great try shirking off the last tackle to touch the ball down. The Extras converted to make the half time score ten points to seven to the away team.  

The second half saw the Extras kick into gear. With a front row made up of two flankers and a winger (all converted as a result of their size) Dunstable really should have taken control of the match and secured a victory. Instead the resilient performance of the below strength pack just caused frustration and in-discipline amongst the Dunstablian team. 

Ampthill got a second try after Neil Fordham kicked and chased to under the post score. The Extras were ecstatic, Dunstablians frustrated.  

The Ds were now desperate to get back into the match. Frustration got the better of one player as Steve Marsden was forced to leave the pitch after a little elbow massaging to the temple by a newly brought on Dunstable winger. This temporarily reduced the Extras to just fourteen men.  

With the Extras struggling to control set pieces, Dunstablians had the majority of territory for the last twenty minutes. Had it not been for the over exuberance of a minority of their team, giving away penalties at crucial moments, they would have increased the likelihood of securing a victory. 

The front row for the Extras, all playing out of position, put in superb performances though had the regular front three been there the visitors would have been starved of much possession and the score-line could have embarrassed the visiting team.         

Forwards: James Chapman, Dai Lamrick, Dean Johnson, Paul Rigby, John Roberts, Liam Duffin, Chris Wood, John Wood, 

Backs: Gareth Williams, Steve Marsden, John Kitchiner, Ian Browning, Richard Mardle, Neil Fordham, Rob Hill

Subs: Michael Churchouse, Jurrien Heynen

Tries: Ian Browning, Neil Fordham

Cons:  Ian Browning (2)