Ampthill suffered their first home Champ Rugby defeat of the season, suffering a heavy defeat to Bedford Blues in the Bedfordshire derby on The Olney Field.
The Blues made an unbelievable start to the match, scoring three tries to lead 19-0 after just 16 minutes. Archie Benson and James Fish forced their way across the whitewash in the 3rd and 11th minute respectfully, and Fish played a key role in the third try, breaking the line and then feeding Jamie Lennon for a walk in try.
Seva Kava was shown a yellow card in the 17th minute for tackling a Bedford player in the air from the restart, and the Blues punished the 14 men, scoring their bonus point score in the 23rd minute. Ryan Hutler finished off a fast break started inside the Bedford half, running it from 30 metres out after a slip from an Ampthill defender. Maisey converted to give Bedford a 26-0 lead after 24 minutes.
Despite a 29th minute yellow card to Bedford back-rower Nicholas Finch for a deliberate trip on Ampthill centre Oscar Wilson, Bedford scored their 5th and final try of the first half to lead 31-0 at the break. After building the phases in and around the Ampthill 22, the ball spread to Dean Adamson, who cut inside and sprinted into the open space to dot down.
The Blues extended their lead further in the opening 20 minutes of the second period, scoring two converted tries to lead 45-0, and effectively end the game as a contest. James Fish once again finished from close range in the 46th minute, and Lucas Titherington burst through a massive hole after a receiving a quick ball from the base of the ruck in the 59th minute.
Even though the game was far from their grasp, Ampthill scored two quickfire consolation tries to finally get on the scoreboard and trail 12-52 after 73 minutes. After applying some sustained pressure near the Bedford try line, Kennedy Sylvester managed to push his way over the try line in the 68th minute, and Brandon Jxckson sped away on the right hand side to score the Mob’s second try in the 72nd minute.
The visitors were ruthless in the closing stages of the match, scoring three more converted tries to rubber stamp and emphatic 12-66 win against their Bedfordshire rivals. Ryan Hutler intercepted a loopy pass inside the Ampthill 22 and strolled across the line in the 74th minute, and two sublime fast breaks were finished off by Will Maisey and Dean Adamson in the 77th and 80th minute.
Speaking after his side’s first home Champ Rugby defeat of the season, Ampthill Head Coach Dave Ward said, “We didn’t turn up today, I kind of had a bad feeling in the warm up as there wasn’t the spring in the step I’d usually like on a derby day. Unfortunately for us we gave them every opportunity and they [Bedford] took it.”
Ampthill Points Scorers
Tries: Sylvester 68, Jackson 72
Conversions: Grimoldby 73
Attendance: 1975