The much-anticipated National Cup quarter final arrived as the girls took on Barkers Butts, and what a game the teams delivered.
Ampthill knew that Barkers had speed out wide and within 5 minutes they had witnessed just how fast they were – flying down the wing twice leaving Ampthill tacklers in their wake, scooting under the posts to enable easy conversions – 14 points down in the blink of an eye.
The Ampthill girls were playing into a gusty unpredictable wind – for the next 30 minutes they would dominate possession drawing penalty after penalty from the opposition. The girls pulled a converted try back – and then the Barkers yellow cards came – first for persistent offences and the second for a forceful high tackle. Ampthill kept attacking but could not break through – half time 14-7 down.
Ampthill opened the second half with all guns blazing and they were soon rewarded courtesy of a strong finish in the corner – 12-14 game on. The penalties were still flowing Ampthill’s way, but they just couldn’t make them count with a tenacious, athletic Barkers seemingly never outnumbered for long. Again, Ampthill were hit by the searing pace of the Barkers left winger, showing not only speed but a brilliant hand-off beating 4 players before dotting down under the posts 12-21.
Ampthill were still not done and roared back into the game – phase after phase, before scoring a try with a successful conversion – 19-21 – but the match repeated itself with Barkers hitting back just when it looked like Ampthill would turn the screw – this time scoring out wide with no conversion, leaving Ampthill 7 point adrift. Ampthill fought back again, following a massive carry by the Ampthill centres – the girls scored with a successful conversion – 26-26.
Barkers struck back again – 26-31 with 5 minutes to play. Some nervous altercations led to a few scrums but eventually Ampthill regained their impetus, powering up the field again with the penalties still coming – it seemed inevitable that they would cross the try line. Taking the tap from another penalty, they powered again into Barkers but alas a knock-on brought Ampthill’s brave challenge to an end.
Congratulations to Barkers Butts and good luck for the rest of the competition.