Match Report
On an unseasonably warm, dry and very sunny day Ampthill played host to Cinderford. Cinderford chose to start play up the hill and into the sun, much to the surprise of the hosts.
The match started with both teams giving everything from the off. Ampthill used the home advantage to pile pressure from the off with a try in the right cornor soon resulting.
Alexi Lutui crosses the line after just 4 minutes to open the scoring.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
With the visitors still battling hard to react to the initial score Ollie Morris took advantage of a fine set of moves by the backs resulting in another score, this time on the left flank.
Ollie Morris attempting to fly!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Cinderford managed to mount a response and the game was essentially a churn of attacks with Ampthill’s defence being tested for the next 20 minutes. Eventually the hard work paid off for Cinderford with a penalty awarded and 3 points taken to start the visitors scoring.
Eventually Josh Sharp managed to break loose, kicking the ball straight through the Cinderford line and sprinting forward to catch up with the ball again in perfect time to gain a try just before half time.
Josh Sharp catching up with his own grubber to score.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Just to show he wasn’t being left behind, Spencer Sutherland counter attacked just before half time comfortably outpacing the visitors and making his point by tapping down by the posts.
Spencer Sutherland with the first of his 3 tries of the match.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Two more tries from Spencer Sutherland which included making space out of seemingly nowhere before the visitors responded with a try and conversion.
In a bitter sweet moment former Cinderford player Sam Hanks charged through the posts to add to the hosts score line.
Sam Hanks scoring between the posts.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
A final score by Josh Sharp in what surely must be a candidate for cheekiest score of the season so far as he intercepted a pass and stormed unopposed across the line for the final score of the game.
“Every facet of our game improved this week with our half backs outstanding. Cinderford are a good side as evidenced by their excellent start to their return to National 1 and were very competitive until our third try after which we stretched away. The bench made their contribution while I thought our attacking intent and execution was as good as I’ve seen from an Ampthill side.”
