Ampthill lost their first home league match in November, suffering a heavy defeat to Champ Rugby leaders Ealing Trailfinders, who continued their perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign
The game was tight in the early exchanges with Ampthill defending well against the early storm against the league leaders, whilst also having some success in the kicking game, but the Trailfinders scored the first try after 9 minutes. Following some sustained pressure near the Ampthill try line, Ealing lock Bobby De Wee forced his way over, dotting down underneath the sticks.
Despite a 16th minute yellow card to Ealing winger Angus Kernohan for high challenge on Sam Kildunne, the visitors extended their lead to 0-14 with their second try of the afternoon in the 19th minute. After stealing an Ampthill lineout near the hosts 22, the Trailfinders worked the ball brilliantly towards the try line, and the ball founds it way to Tobi Wilson on the right hand side, who dotted down in the right corner.
The Trailfinders scored two tries in the last 10 minutes of the half to secure the try bonus-point and extend their lead to 0-26 at half time. Kyle Hatherwell crashed over from close range in the 31st minute and with the last play of the half, Tom Collins finished in the corner after the ball was spread wide following a dominant rolling maul.
Ealing were ruthless in the second half, and scored three tries before the hour mark to widen the margin to 0-47, and put the result beyond any doubt . Francis Moore dived across the try line in 48th minute after some sustained pressure, Craig Hampson collected a delightful grubber kick back inside from Tom Collins to score in the 53rd minute, and replacement back Geordie Gwynn sped away on the left hand touchline to dot down in the 59th minute.
Ampthill had no answer to the speed and intricacy of the Trailfinders’ attack, and conceded two more tries in the space of five minutes to trail 0-59 in the 68th minute. Tom Collins scored his second try of the afternoon, after a superb exchange of the passes with Michael Stronge in the 63rd minute, and Will Montgomery raced away after some quick hands on the left hand side on halfway in the 68th minute.
The Trailfinders pushed their tally past 70 in the closing stages of the match, scoring their 10th and 11th tries of the afternoon in the final six minutes to. Ealing captain Josh Taylor peeled off the back of a close range dominant rolling maul and scored with ease, and Tobi Wilson dotted down in the corner for a second time with the last play of the match.
Speaking after his side’s defeat, Ampthill head coach Dave Ward said, “It was tough, they’re an efficient, well-organised, well drilled team, and they were very ruthless in the last half hour of the game. I thought we competed quite well in the first half, and we were unlucky to go in at half time without a score, and all of a sudden when you chase the game against a team like Ealing they do punish you”.
The club would like to thank Paul Roberts from Ampthill Town Band for playing The Last Post for us before the game.
Attendance: 693