Ampthill 57 Sale FC 12

Amps Dominate Sale Outscoring The Visitors nine tries to two at Dillingham Park writes Warren Kay, Ampthill Senior Rugby Publicity Officer

Neil Briggs throwing in at the lineout to Sale Captain Andy Hughes (c) Ampthill Rugby

After going behind to an early try Ampthill dominated the game scoring 9 tries and leaving several more on the park.

From the kick off Sale retained the ball well showing good structure to move the ball deep into Amps territory. A sweeping move through the hands from left to right saw a fine unconverted try scored in the right corner on 5 minutes by centre Moorhouse.

A’s took the game away from the visitors with 5 tries before half time. Wing Sam Baker scored a brace with two good finishes (8 minutes, 16) from open play. Scrum half Kevin Barrett sniped on 21 minutes from a red zone breakdown before Baker celebrated his hat trick on 25 minutes. Centre Ollie Morris to completed the scoring for the half after he was in support to receive the final pass in the 38th minute. Full back James Pritchard, playing the penultimate game of his illustrious 19 year career, converted all Baker’s tries leaving the score 31-5 at oranges.

The second half was more of the same with the home side adding 4 more tries through fly half Josh Sharp (47, 75), replacement hooker Syd Blackmore (51) and replacement scrum half Euan McKirdy (73). Pritchard adding the extras for all but Blackmore’s.

In between the 57th minute saw a fine try from Sale’s centre Dunn, converted by fly half Povey.

The hosts were in control in the tight and the loose while the defence held a concerted second half effort from the visitors whose heads never dropped.

Old Elthamians managed a bonus point win away at Bishop’s Stortford which forces the title fight to go down to the wire of the last round of fixtures. Ampthill need 1pt against Loughborough on April 27th to secure promotion to the Championship!

Head Coach Paul Turner comments “A pleasing performance, especially after the poor second half at Moseley the week before. We played some good football against a committed side but let a chance or two go begging. Our defence was good in the second half and both half backs had excellent games.

Ampthill
Tries:- Baker (8,16,25), Barrett (21), Morris (38), Sharp (47, 75), Blackmore (51), McKirdy (73)
Conversions:- Pritchard (9, 17, 26, 48, 74, 76)

Sale
Tries:- Moorhouse (5), Dunn (57)
Conversions:- Povey (58)

Half Time:- Ampthill 31 Sale 5
Referee:- Mr James Clarke
Attendance:- 882
Man of the Match:- Josh Sharp, Ampthill