Coventry edged out Ampthill 36-40 in a 11 try classic on the Olney Field on Saturday afternoon, despite the Mob putting on an impressive display throughout the contest.
The game was cagey in the early stages with both sides kicking frequently in an attempt to win the territory battle, but in the 7th minute Ampthill scored the opening try of the contest. Off the back of an attacking scrum from close range, a well-timed pass from Efan Jpnes sent his half back partner Josh Barton into a huge hole, and he applied the finish underneath the sticks.
Coventry responded eight minutes later, reducing the deficit to 7-5 following a simple close range finish from Tommy Matthews after a superb line break from flanker Allan Ferrie from just inside the Ampthill half.
The Mob re-established their 7 point lead just four minutes later, with a superb marauding run from Ollie Mullarkey starting off the attack, before Totoa Auvaa managed to dot down from close range with relative ease.
Once again the visitors answered back quickly to Ampthill’s second score, levelling the match at 12-12 just before the half-hour mark. Following sustained pressure near the Ampthill try line, Coventry lock Senitiki Nayalo managed to force his way across the whitewash.
Ampthill won a penalty inside the Coventry 22 with less than a minute remaining in the opening period, and Josh Barton slotted through the sticks to give the hosts a 15-12 half-time lead.
Ampthill came out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half, scoring their third try of the contest just two minutes after the restart to extend their lead to 22-12. After winning a turnover deep in Coventry territory following a huge hit from Seb Smith, the Mob attacked brilliantly with Efan Jones delivering the decisive offload to Oscar Wilson, who evaded the last defender to swan dive underneath the sticks.
Coventry completed a quickfire comeback shortly after falling 10 points behind, with two converted tries before the 50 minute mark giving them a 22-26 lead. Captain Jordan Poole applied the finish from a dominant rolling maul in the 44th minute, and five minutes later secured the try-bonus point, with former Ampthill captain Morgan Strong dotting down from close range.
In what was a topsy-turvy second half, the Mob retook the lead once again only four minutes after falling behind, and in process secured a try bonus-point of their own. After applying persistent pressure near the Coventry try line, Oscar Wilson applied a simple finish in the left corner, and following a brilliant touchline conversion from Josh Barton, Ampthill led 29-26.
Just before the hour mark, Coventry reclaimed their 4 point advantage with the fifth try of the afternoon. Off the back of their own lineout near the Ampthill 22, replacement Api Bavadra picked up a low pass and ran through a gaping hole and dotted down underneath the sticks.
The Mob showed great character once again and scored their fifth try of the afternoon to lead 36-33 with 12 minutes remaining. Another well-orchestrated attack inside the Coventry 22 was finished off by Josh Heslop in the left corner.
The visitors struck the decisive blow with 10 minutes remaining, scoring the 11th and final try of the match to secure a 36-40 win, after a dominant rolling maul from close range was finished by replacement hooker Murray Davidson.
Speaking after side’s narrow defeat, Ampthill head coach Dave Ward said, “I’m happy with the way we played, our attack was good, but ultimately we didn’t come away with the five points, which is gutting really in a game we could and should’ve probably won. Coventry did what most teams do and executed when they needed to, and unfortunately for us there were two big opportunities at the end that we didn’t take”.
Ampthill Points Scorers
Tries: Barton 7, Auvaa 19, Wilson 43, 54; Heslop 67
Conversions: Barton 8, 44, 54, 68
Penalties: Barton 40
Attendance: 1073
Man of the Match sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic: Oscar Wilson