Ampthill travelled to Sixways to face Worcester Warriors in Round 3 of Champ Rugby looking to build on wins against Cambridge and Pirates. A near sell out crowd inspired both team to play some at time scintillating rugby under the Friday Night Lights, the teams exchanging seven tries in an explosive first half!
The home side struck first with a well worked lineout catch and drive after a penalty was awarded against the Mob to open the scoring after only five minutes but from the restart the Mob started to build some territory and momentum, marshalled brilliantly by Efan Jones. Ampthill levelled on 15 minutes, a line out providing the platform before Oscar Wilson broke the line and crashed over right of posts.
Moments later the Mob were ahead, quick-thinking from Jones deep in his own half released Seva Kava into space that the wing attacked at pace and he found Wilson in support who raced home to score his brace in the corner. A touchline Conversion from Grimoldby making the score 7 v 14.
Warriors levelled through another 5m catch and drive before lock Totoa Aavaa scored his second try of the season to restore our lead. Quick ball of the top of a ten metre line out fed the backs before the forwards set up a ruck in front of the posts and the big man picked up and crashed over. 14 v 21 with 28 minutes played.
Ampthill spurned another opportunity to extend the lead from another 5m line out on 31 minutes before a yellow card for the impressive Kennedy Sylvester ultimately changed the game – Warriors using the man advantage to score two quick tries before half-time and take a 28-21 lead into the break.
Warrriors turned the screw with the man advantage after the restart and three quick tries in the opening ten minutes took the game away from Ampthill.
The Mob did secure a bonus point midway through the second half when Mason Cullen intercepted in midfield and raced home to score under the sticks and give the travelling supporters something to cheer. Another yellow card for Vice-Captain Charles Rylands took the Mob down to fourteen men again. We did continue to put pressure on their hosts and with a little more accuracy could’ve reduced the arrears before Worcester completed the scoring on 80 minutes.
Following the game, Head Coach Dave Ward said “We went well in the first half and if we had taken our chances we could have made more of a game of it but our discipline let us down and if you allow the Warriors to get on top of you they can score very quickly. A number of positives came from the game and we now have an extra days rest before the first competitive Battle of Bedfordshire at Dillingham Park on next Saturday. We need all the Mob fans with hopefully lots of our aspiring Mini and Youth Players there to be our Sixteenth Man”
The 1st XV are back at Dillingham Park next Saturday, 25th October when they host Bedford Blues. The game kicks-off at 3pm. The crowd against Pirates inspired the players to victory and another big crowd is needed for the #BattleOfBedfordshire – tickets available now here . There are still two tables left in hospitality – why not upgrade your match day experience and enjoy a two course pre-match meal for only £30?
Ampthill Points Scorers:
Tries: Wilson 16, 20, Auvaa 28, Cullen 63
Conv: Grimoldby 17, 21, 29, Barton 64
Starting XV:
1. Jevaughn Warren 2. Samson Adejimi 3. Callum Norrie 4. Totoa Auvaa 5. Kennedy Slyvester 6. Barney Merrett 7. Charles Rylands (vc) 8. Kima Ravuvu 9. Efan Jones 10. Louis Grimoldby 11. Seva Kava 12. Fraser Strachan (c) 13. Oscar Wilson 14. Mason Cullen 15. Josh Barton
Replacements:
16. Harrison Dakin 17. Harrison Courtney 18. James Johnston 19. Jake Parkinson 20. Ollie Mullarkey 21. Tino Mapapalangi 22. Rory Morgan 23. Matt Salisbury
NPR. George Phillips, Alex Davies, Sam Kildunne