On-form Amps breeze past Rosslyn Park

Ampthill delivered a tactical masterclass to overcome both Rosslyn Park and the elements as they recorded a 21-5 victory at Dillingham Park.
First for sports newsFirst for sports news
First for sports news

Amps got the job done on a grey afternoon with a howling gale blowing in favour of the visitors in the first half.

The first quarter saw Ampthill unable to escape from their own half, with Rosslyn Park camped inside the home 22 due to their clinical use of the conditions.

However, Amps defence held firm and gradually gained field position, leading to the only score of the half on 25 minutes when full-back Karim Lynch was in support to touch down an unconverted try after a perfectly weighted grubber from fly-half Joseph Tarrant.

The remainder of the period was more even, with both sides having opportunities without really threatening, leaving the score 5-0 at half-time.

Given the assistance provided by the conditions, Ampthill’s connections were looking forward to a dominant second period.

On 48 minutes, Elliot Clements-Hill – having seen a banana shaped conversion miss by miles – struck a fine penalty after Rosslyn Park were penalised at a scrum.

A’s supporters looked on astonished as another Clements-Hill penalty was set up from inside his own half and sailed over the posts.

The visitors continued to play a kicking game, however they did so once too often as Lynch pinched the ball to run unopposed under the posts for a 66th minute try converted by Clements-Hill who was also successful with a 72nd minute penalty goal.

Park, to their credit, never gave up and scored a late consolation try through Stephen Hihetah after the home side had been reduced to 14 players by a yellow card.

Director of rugby Mark Lavery said: “One of our best performances in terms of tactics and accuracy; if only we could play with the same control more often.”