2nd September 2006
Ampthill Extras 21 – Old Dunstablians 3rds 10
It rained enough in August for the Extras to bring the first week of their season forward a week. The initial excitement of a new season soon turned to apprehension when car loads of youngsters arrived from Dunstable and it soon became apparent that Dunstablians third team had brought with them last season’s colts. With just one player younger than thirty the Extras thought they might have a busy afternoon chasing youngsters around.
But despite Dunstablian’s use of rolling subs throughout the match, the experienced home team had the better of them and turned out twenty one points to ten victors.
John Roberts scored two tries, on both occasions he managed to just reach over the try line to score while being talked. The best try of the match came for Kitch scoring after a strong darting run from debutant Andrew Weeks. Leigh Cark converted all three tries.
For their part Dunstablians scored a try, conversion and penalty in an entertaining season opener.
Matt ‘Donk’ Fisher (prop) and David Middleton (wing) made their Extras debuts along with Andrew Weeks.
After the match, as talk was getting round to tour venues and tour songs Darren Oatley decided to drink a yard of ale to celebrate his thirtieth birthday on that was on that day, a birthday that he shares with Gavin Griffith but has had eleven less than.
Forwards: Terry Nelson, Gez Ingarfield, Adam Wilson, John Roberts, Paul Rigby, Liam Duffin, James Chapman, Dave Peck,
Backs: Dougie Parks, Leigh Clark, John Kitchiner, Andrew Weeks, Gareth Williams, David Middleton, Rob Hill
Subs: David Backhouse, Richard Mardle, Donk, Darren Oatley, Jurrien Heynen