21^st October 2006

Stockwood Park 24 - Ampthill Extras 49 

Simon ‘Soggy’ Robinson came to the rescue of the Extras playing at centre as they had many of their regular players unavailable. Also, Steve Walker who has not played since he was at school (and that was at prop) made his debut for the Extras on the wing in this memorable encounter with Stockwood. 

The prop heavy Extras turned up only to find that Stocky could not field a front row and scrums would be uncontested. This was not great news for a team boasting no fewer than four props and probably another half a dozen that should be playing prop. 

The match started with the Extras on the attack. They had most of the possession but just failed on three occasions to stop the Stockwood backs from out pacing them when they got the ball. The result of this was that the Extras were losing at half time with Stockwood scoring three tries to Ampthill’s two. 

Matters weren’t helped with scrum half Jack Hughes going off injured just before half time. With only Donk and John Roberts on the bench, some juggling with positions had to be done in the backs. 

Things turned in the second half. The Extras realised that by keeping possession of the ball there was nothing Stockwood’s backs could do. 

It was not a classic to watch but excellent to play in for the Ampthill forwards as they slowly ground Stockwood down with pick up and drive rugby for forty minutes. The result was Ampthill winning by 49 points to 24. Eight of the nine tries coming from the forwards. Hat-tricks for Darren Oatley and Terry Nelson and a try a piece for Richard Mardle & Chris Denton, but the pick of bunch came when Donk charged from thirty yards out and touched down. Gareth Williams scored two conversions which he claims are the first he has ever kicked for the Extras. 

Forwards: Chris Day, Richard Redman, Darren Oatley, Terry Nelson, Derek Welton, Liam Duffin, Andy Carvell, Chris Denton

Backs:  Jack Hughes, Chris Hopgood, Jurrien Heynen, Simon Robinson, Rchard Mardle, Steve Walker, Gareth Williams

Subs: Matt ‘Donk’ Fisher, John ’Scouser’ Roberts

Tries: Darren Oatley 3, Terry Nelson 3, Chris Denton, Richard Mardle, Donk

Cons: Gareth Williams 2