Ampthill secured back to back bonus point wins to start the 2025/26 Champ Rugby season, defeating Cornish Pirates 26-21 in a tight, physical affair on The Olney Field.
The Pirates came out of the blocks quickly, and scored the first try of the match just two minutes into the contest. After fly-half Arwel Robson found touch close to the Ampthill try line, the resulting rolling maul was driven close to the line, but Dan Hiscocks still managed to ground the ball in the corner.
The Mob responded well to the early setback, levelling the match less than 10 minutes after conceding. After a superb break from Ampthill full-back Josh Barton took him all the way to the Pirates’ 22, a simple pass to teenage sensation Noah Caluori sent him away to score with ease.
Ampthill continued to attack ferociously after the restart, but Cornish Pirates winger Arthur Relton intercepted a loose pass in the 14th minute, and ran it in from halfway to help the visitors reinstate their 7 point advantage and lead 7-14 following an Arwel Robson conversion.
The Pirates defence continued to struggle with the speed and physicality of the Ampthill attack, and allowed the Mob to draw level again just before the half hour mark. Ampthill lock Totoa Auvaa picked up the loose ball from a Cornish Pirates lineout near their own 22, and after fending off many tackles, he offloaded to brilliantly to Seb Smith, who applied the finishing touches.
Despite applying immense pressure near the Ampthill try line at the end of the first half, the Pirates were denied by some excellent defensive work from the Mob to keep the game level at half time.
Ampthill dominated the early stages of the second half, and were rewarded with their third try of the afternoon to take the lead for the first time. Centre Oscar Wilson dived across the whitewash in the 48th minute after some sustained pressure from the Mob, and following another successful conversion from Grimoldby, Ampthill led 21-14.
It didn’t take long for the Pirates to respond and level the topsy–turvy match once again, with second-rower Josh King forcing his way across the try line from close range in the 51st minute despite the best efforts of the Ampthill defence.
Just after the hour mark, Ampthill took the lead once again and secured the try bonus point in the process. Playing on penalty advantage, a Fraser Strachan cross-field kick was marvellously finished by Caluori, diving backwards to ground the ball after it bounced in the in-goal area.
Despite a 72nd minute yellow card to Charles Rylands after the Mob conceded three consecutive penalties close the try line, Ampthill defended superbly with 14 men to close out their first ever home victory over the Pirates.
Speaking after winning his first Champ Rugby home match as Ampthill head coach, Dave Ward said, “I’m really happy with the performance, It was a massively physical game which we knew it would be. I was really pleased with our individual effort because we knew how hard it would be and defensive effort wins games of rugby, and our ability to get off the deck was impressive. It’s game that Ampthill had never won in terms of beating Cornish Pirates at home and I think that’s a massive step forward for us”
Ampthill Points Scorers
Tries: Caluori 9, 61; Smith 28, Wilson 48
Conversions: Grimoldby 10, 29, 49
Player of the Match: Noah Caluori
Attendance: 1072