Match Report

Ampthill 1st XV 19, Coventry 17, Greene King IPA Championship League

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Last Kick Of The Game Penalty Goal Secures Ampthill’s 4th Win Of the Season

Ampthill welcomed visitors Coventry to a cold, windy but dry Olney Field with the overcast gradually thickening to produce a little drizzle. Despite the recent rain the pitch was in very good condition for the first home fixture of the new year.

Amps squad saw just one change in the starting line-up from Boxing Day, scrum half Kevin Barrett replacing Leon Fukokuka while the bench saw the return of dual registered lock Jon Kpoku & wing Josh Gillespie.

Coventry dominated the opening exchanges, first winning a 3rd minute penalty to the left of the posts and 35m out, sadly for the visitors fly half Fenner’s goal kick shaved the posts on the downwind side.

Just 2 minutes later with Coventry back in possession in the home 10m line a fine move saw the ball moved through the hands from the left to right for wing Ratu Bulumakau to finish by the corner flag, Fenner failing to convert from the touchline.

Amps came back into the game through the forwards eventually winning a penalty at a breakdown, Louis Grimoldby’s local knowledge seeing the ball between the posts on 13 minutes.

The next 20 minutes saw a stalemate, both sides exerting concerted pressure deep in other’s 22 but defences holding firm until wing Max Trimble intercepted a Louis Grimoldby pass on the hosts 10m line to scamper untouched under the posts, Fenner adding the extras.

The home side controlled much of the remainder of the half, with multiple phases deep in Coventry’s red zone finally producing a try for hooker Syd Blackmore on 39 minutes, Louis Grimoldby bringing the score at oranges to 10-12 with the conversion.

There’s no doubt that the visitors connections would not have been happy with a 2pt lead given their wind advantage in the first half.

Ampthill came out firing in the second half gradually turning the screw putting Coventry under pressure eventually winning two back to back penalties in the 57th & 59th minutes, Louis Grimoldby striking both through the uprights for Amps to take & extend the lead for the first time in the match.

The second penalty was the result of fine skills and team effort from full back Karim Lynch who fielded a difficult kick off before returning the ball behind the visitors defence where the kick chase cornered the isolated defender winning the penalty.

Coventry raised their game forcing A’s to defend for the next 10 minutes, referee Dean Richards repeatedly penalising the home side until replacement flanker Facundo Dominguez received a yellow card on 66 minutes. Just 2 minutes later centre Serafin Bordoli was adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball in front of the posts and joined his Argentine colleague in the bin.

With the hosts deep in their 22 the home side’s cover eventually ran out leaving prop James Gibbons to touch down mid way to the left touchline. Replacement fly half Rory Jennings’ kick crucially sliding past the posts leaving the visitors in the lead 16-17.

The next few minutes were key in the game as Ampthill, with 13 playing 15 held out until restored to full complement with just 2 minutes remaining.

With the ball back in Coventry’s half a knock on saw an Amps scrum outside the visitors 22, with both front rows having been replaced before 60 minutes Coventry’s earlier set piece advantage was now negated, the roar from the Ampthill support resounded around the field as the referee awarded a penalty in Amps favour.

Cool as a cucumber Louis Grimoldby stepped up to strike the ball through the posts to secure the win with the last kick of the game.

Having watched Coventry demolish a pretty similar Ampthill side back in September this performance demonstrated the strides made by the squad in the Championship.

Final Score

Ampthill 19, Coventry 17

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