Ampthill scored over 60 points for the second straight weekend to secure an emphatic 61-17 victory over Doncaster Knights on a windy day on the Olney Field, and in the process leapfrogged the Knights in the Elior Champ Rugby table.
The Mob started the match incredibly, with Barney Merrett scoring two tries in two minutes to lead 14-0 after only eight minutes of the contest. The No.8 applied a simple finish after the initial line break from Jack Bracken in the 5th minute, and was once again in the right place to receive the decisive offload from Angus Hall in the 7th minute, following an incredible solo run from the full-back.
Doncaster flanker Josh Bainbridge received a yellow card in the 18th minute as a result of persistent infringing from the Knights, and Ampthill took full advantage to secure the try bonus point in under 30 minutes and lead 28-0. Jack Bracken intercepted near halfway and took it all the way in the 22nd minute, and six minutes later Oscar Wilson picked up the loose ball and applied the finish following a Fraser Strachan grubber kick.
The Knights had the last say in the first half, scoring their first try of the match in the 33rd minute after a smart lineout routine was finished in the corner by Ben Chapman, but despite holding a convincing 28-5 lead, Ampthill had to play into a gale force wind in the second half.
The strong winds didn’t seem to faze the Mob, further extending their lead with their fifth try of the afternoon six minutes into second half, following a stunning chip and chase score from Jack Bracken after some great hands from the Mob in the build-up.
Doncaster responded well, scoring two tries of their own in a four minute period to reduce the deficit to 35-17. Ollie Fox dotted down in the 48th minute after superb line break and pass inside from Zach Kerr, and shortly after winger Aidan Cross ghosted through the Ampthill defence and found Telusa Veainu on his outside for a simple score.
The Mob put the game well and truly to bed before the 70th minute, scoring two more tries to lead 49-17. Ampthill pounced on the loose ball on halfway in the 56th minute, with Oscar Wilson delivering the final pass to Angus Hall who sprinted away to score unopposed, and Luke Davidson forced his way over in the 68th minute after dummying his way through the defensive line.
Doncaster replacement hooker Fred Davies received a yellow card for head contact in the tackle in the 72nd minute, and just two minutes later the Mob pushed their points tally past 50, with Charlie West applying the finish following a quick tap penalty close to the try line. Luke Davidson continued his 100% kicking record (8/8), including some remarkable touchline conversions in incredibly difficult conditions, to extend the lead to 56-17 with five minutes remaining in the match.
Ampthill scored their 9th try with the final play of the match to put the seal on their third straight league win. A sublime team move was finished off by Louis Grimoldby, after great hands and footwork throughout the team, a try exhibiting the confidence and belief the Mob are playing with. Davidson was cruelly denied a perfect day from the kicking tee when his last kick of the match charged down, but he still delivered an almost perfect fly-half display, and deservedly won the MOTM award chosen by the coaching staff.
Speaking after side’s first three game winning streak since December, Ampthill head coach Dave Ward said, “We controlled it, and we took our opportunities, and if you take your opportunities with players we’ve got out there we ran up a big score, and we’re incredibly happy with that”.
Ampthill Points Scorers
Tries: Merrett 5, 7; Bracken 22, 46; Wilson 28, Hall 56, Davidson 68, West 74, Grimoldby 79
Conversions: Davidson 6, 8, 23, 47, 57, 69, 75
Attendance: 1046
Man of the Match sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic: Luke Davidson