Sep 19, 2026
The Mob travelled to the Capital to face Richmond in our opening game of the 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby Season.
Following a 10th-place finish for the Original Club of Bedfordshire last time out there was much optimism for a higher-placed finish this season.
Ampthill Champ debuts for George Nugent, formerly of Richmond, as well as winger Joe Browning and full-back Elliot Gourlay, saw a much-changed side from that which won on final day at home to Cambridge.
The A’s have had a mixed pre-season with a win over last season’s Champ winners Worcester Warriors in a rainy Dillingham Park followed by a tricky afternoon against three-time European Champions, Saracens.
An end to end start at the RAG saw the hosts take an early lead, a set of penalties gifting the home side the territory and hooker, Will Goffey, going over from close range.
The MOB responded well with two scores, the first being a debut try from winger Joe Browning, spinning and dotting down, of which Luke Davidson converted from the tee.
The second was a beautifully worked score as Tino Mapapalangi broke the line before stepping the last defender to dive under the posts, again converted by Davidson to make it 5-14.
However, the weather conditions did begin to worsen in the Capital and a couple of dropped passes offered the hosts a way back in.
First through Jared Cardew and the next through Xavier Hastings who would take a narrow 19-14 lead into the half-time break.
The second half would start off in similar fashion a quick-fire brace of tries from the hosts would extend their lead.
Hastings adding his second straight after half-time before James Langston found a gap in the mob defence to score in the corner, both converted, 33-14.
The MOB would respond with numerous changes, and it would be replacement Tayo Adegbemile would score next, a great break from Browning ending in a close-range finish.
Richmond would add another of their own minutes later, a cross-field effort finding Josh Addams who picked up to score.
Before an incredible last 20-minutes saw the MOB score three times to complete a monumental comeback in the Capital.
Davidson intercepting a lofted pass to race in to score under the posts, followed by a classic from Fraser Rawlins and to top it off an 80th minute try from Harrison Dakin as the hosts were reduced to 14-men, 40-42.
A busy first outing for the MOB and more importantly first points on the board.
We return to Dillingham Park next week as we host Nottingham Rugby in our first home game of the season, tickets available now.
Tickets available here: NOTTINGHAM TICKETS
