Match Report
Firstly your reporter must start by stating that he can’t for the life of him understand why a team as talented as Birmingham Moseley are in a relegation dog fight. They caused the A’s defence all sorts of problems and scored four well deserved try’s against our much vaunted defence in a fire cracker of a game.
Aleki Lutui opens the scoreline for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
A’s started well with an Aleki Lutui try after a stock catch and drive on the seven metre line and converted by James Pritchard to lead seven nil after six minutes.
James Pritchard preparing for the first of many conversions this match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Birmingham Moseley responded well with a break by outstanding number eight Brightwell, going nearly half the length of the field against what can only be described as a generous defence by the A’s. 7 v 7 after 12 mins.
Amp’s controlled large parts of the half from here and Sam Hanks who was strong and elusive all day scored a try after a good break. He eluded the defence to score under the posts and the points were duly converted by James Pritchard to lead 7 v 14 after twelve minutes.
Sam Hanks crosses the line for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ciaran Whyte then fielded a downfield kick and broke the line to find Gavin Williams in support, who took a tackle but got the offload away and former Moseley player Joe Bercis scored under the posts, again converted by James Pritchard to take a 7 v 21 lead at the half. time whistle.
Joe Bercis scores his first try of the match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Whatever the Ampthill coaching staff said at half time appeared to have been ignored, and despite having the wind at there backs the A’s decided to start playing rugby in there own red zone and conceded two try’s on 46 and 56 mins to bring Birmingham Moseley back to within 2 points at 19 v 21.
A’s started to introduce the subs then and with a scrum on the Birmingham Moseley five metre line, scrum half Euan McKirdy drifted wide and opened a hole for Joe Bercis to bag his second try under the posts. James Pritchard again added the extras and the A’s travelling fans began to breathe a little easier. 19 v 28 after 63 mins.
Joe Bercis crossing the line for a second try this match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Amps were now camped in Birmingham Moseley territory and after multiple phases Carl Burgess on his return to the first team carried strongly to crash over the line with two defenders enjoying the ride on big Carls back. James Pritchard missed his only conversion of the day but the A’s had responded well and now put some clean air between themselves and Moseley at 19 v 33 on 69 mins.
Carl Burgess marks his return to the 1st XV with a try in his first match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
As has been a theme recently, the A’s took their foot off the gas and a poor exit led to Birmingham Moseley getting there fourth and bonus point try to bring back within a score at 26 v 33.
Ampthill composed themselves and responded again with the ball in the Birmingham Moseley red zone. Karl Garside who has signed full professional forms at Northampton Saints next season, scored from a pick and go close to the posts and James Pritchard again converted to make to game safe on 79 mins, 26 v 40.
Karl Garside closes out the tries for Ampthill
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
There was still time for A’s to muck up another exit and invite Birmingham Moseley to batter their defence, but this time the second best defence in the division held out to secure crucial five point win on the road.
A delighted Mark Lavery being interviewed post match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Final Score
Birmingham Moseley 26, Ampthill 40
“Whilst not our best performance of the yearit’ss about getting the job done and a five point win on the road at Birmingham Moseley is no mean feet. We have lots to work on and another cup final next week with the visit of Sale FC to Dillingham Park for the first time.
The 1881s had a huge bonus point win away at Jersey Athletic to lead the Zoo One top division and Richmond coming to Dillingham Park for another massive top of the table clash.
These are heady days for the senior section of the club with both our first team and 1881s looking to create another piece of history.”
