Unforgettable experience as Ampthill visit mighty Saracens

In a huge occasion for the rugby club, Ampthill took on mighty Saracens in the Greene King IPA Championship on Monday evening.

Watched for the first time this year by a crowd of 2,000 in north London – including 80 Maroon & Gold fans, Ampthill were beaten 69-12 by the high-flyers, who moved into second spot .

The three-times European champions, with an incredible 12 internationals, including the likes of Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Elliot Daly, cruised to victory with 11 tries in what had been dubbed a ‘David v Goliath’ game.

But Syd Blackmore and Spencer Sutherland scored tries for sixth-placed Ampthill as the visitors stuck to their impossible task.

Speaking with Ampthill RUFC TV after the game, Director of Rugby Mark Lavery said: “I’m sure that some of our supporters were pinching themselves even at kick-off to check that we were actually playing Saracens, at The StoneX, in a competitive game.

“The boys didn’t stop working and I’m really proud of the effort we put in, but occasionally in any sport you come across a better team but in this case, we didn’t just come across a better team but one of the best teams in Europe.

“It will be an experience we will never forget and whilst we are humbled on the scoreboard we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

“Saracens have been very gracious hosts, and the team they put out demonstrated both their respect for us as a club and the Championship competition as a whole.

“It’s been a great evening, a superb experience for everyone involved in our club but now those 80 minutes are done, hostilities are over, and we can get back to the strong working relationship we have with Saracens.

“We look forward to welcoming our young Saracens back for a huge game at Dillingham Park against Richmond on Sunday afternoon when we’ll have a crowd of our own.”

The game kicks off at 1pm.