Clements-Hill leads the way for Amps against Wharfedale

Ampthill began well, scoring tries in the second and 16th minutes through wingers George Elliot and Clements-Hill, the latter converting both from wide out.

The game was stopped towards the end of the first quarter due to an injury to visiting scrum half and captain James Doherty.

After a break of some 20 minutes, the game resumed with Wharfedale responding to their misfortune by taking the game to the hosts. The result was two tries in the 21st and 27th minutes while Ampthill were down to 14 players.

Winger Matthew van Sertima scored the first and blindside Matthew Beesley added the second, while fly-half James Guy converted the latter.

Restored to a full compliment, Amps then pulled away with a 32nd minute catch & drive try touched down by KennettO’Neill and another on 37 minutes from No 8 Maama Molitika who reached out from close range. Clements-Hill added the extras to both, again from wide out, leaving the score 28-12 at half-time.

However, there’s a great spirit among Wharfedale’s squad and they responded by scoring an unconverted try on 53 minutes through prop Ricardo Cano.

Amps responded on 58 minutes as Barrett finished from close range after multiple red zone phases, with Clements-Hill’s somewhat easier kick sailing between the uprights.

With A’s again reduced to 14 players for a maul infringement, the visitors showed their teeth with 65th and 73rd minute tries through No 8 Robert Baldwin and lock George Hedgley, with Guy converting the former.

With the hosts back to 15 players, both sides had chances in the remainder of the game but neither could trouble the scoreboard; Clements-Hill ruining his 100 per cent record with a last minute long-range penalty goal miss.

Director of rugby Mark Lavery said: “All credit to Wharfedale who came and gave it a right go, the important thing for us today was to win. They are a good side and I fully expect us to face them again next season.”