Ampthill Rugby Club - Veterans

Welcome

Welcome the to Ampthill Vets Page.

Ampthill Rugby Club subscribes to the idea that rugby should be a cradle to the grave enterprise. You will not be surprised that we represent the later stage in rugby development. We are passionate about our rugby and our complete disregard for the process of ageing. We have many slogans but perhaps one which sits well here is “Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional”.

The current Vets squad as at the first match of 2018/19 season.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)

We have built strong friendships over the years and we have welcomed hordes of those who wish to continue to play the greatest team game in the world but at the same time not take themselves too seriously. The social side of our squad is as important as the playing side. I urge you to come and join us.

More about us on the official club site: Ampthill Rugby Club (Veterans)

Match Reports

Recent matches that have been covered by Actuance, please click on an article to read (password required).

Featured
20211113 Ampthill Vets vs Bedford Queens 2nd XV
20211113 Ampthill Vets vs Bedford Queens 2nd XV

We knew we were in for a hard match when we heard that they had six first team players in their squad and when they turned up quite a lot of them were quite huge. We started well though. There was good pressure from the forwards and the backs strung a few passes together. However, they did the same and scored. We came straight back and we had a good scrum. I have since heard that the scrums were hard work. We were outweighed considerably but I am grateful for the effort put in by the entire pack.

20190316 Jack Wilkinson Memorial Match (Inaugural)
20190316 Jack Wilkinson Memorial Match (Inaugural)

The dissolution of the Silsoe Old Boys meant that the Richard Green Memorial Trophy devolved to us to keep the annual challenge going. This year we had a good reason to do so – a memorial match for a club legend, Jack Wilkinson.

20190126 Ampthill Vets vs Milton Keynes 3rd XV
20190126 Ampthill Vets vs Milton Keynes 3rd XV

The overall feel of the match was that we had played together before but they hadn’t. Also, they appeared to believe that they would run away with the match for the first 10 minutes and then (some of them) got a bit annoyed that they didn’t. Our discipline and experience told for much of the match. We knew they had a few fast backs but we kept the ball tight and for much of the match we had control.

20181027 Ampthill Vets vs Peterborough
20181027 Ampthill Vets vs Peterborough

We knew that Peterborough were short of a few players but we also knew that we would have strength in numbers - and so it proved. We lent several players for the match. These were switched over at half-time to allow them to wear both shirts.

20180908 Ampthill Vets Vs Sharnbrook & Colworth
20180908 Ampthill Vets Vs Sharnbrook & Colworth

I was very happy to see how many people were willing to play and if anything the numbers caused the slight problem of trying to ensure everyone got on the pitch. However, we agreed with the opposition that we split the match into 4 periods of 20 minutes which allowed everyone to have as much time on the pitch as they probably wanted.

20180317 Ampthill Vets Vs Silsoe Old Boys #1246
20180317 Ampthill Vets Vs Silsoe Old Boys

On a bitterly cold day the mad Vets of Ampthill took to the field against the Silsoe Old Boys for the annual challenge. Despite snow for most of the game the majority of players managed to stay upright for the duration except when helped to rest on the floor by an opponent.

20170916 Ampthill Vets Vs Stamford
20170916 Ampthill Vets Vs Stamford

Stamford travelled to Ampthill on a day of mixed weather. Initially things were pleasant and the focus was on the rugby with both sides working hard to exert control.

Archive

As the years go by previous matches are archived here, please click on an article to read (password required).