The Mob travelled to the Ellgia Fields looking to end the season on a high after a disappointing final home game against Hartpury two weeks ago.
Head Coach Paul Turner had made six changes to the starting XV with several players unavailable from Saracens as they prepare for the final games of the Premiership season. A seventh change was forced on match day with Izzy Moore-Aiono unavailable due to illness so Ben Chapman came into the starting XV at hooker with Samson Adejimi moving to openside and Beck Cutting on the bench. Harry Legg also replaced Ollie Dawkins on the bench.
Ampthill took only seven minutes to open the scoring – a well worked move across the field, Brandon Jackson broke though and found Charlie Bracken in support who raced home. An easy conversion for Parks 0 v 7
Ampthill could and should have doubled the advantage minutes later. Winning a penalty in the front of the posts, the Mob opted to scrum and with it a scoring opportunity.
Cambridge were level on 15 minutes. Ex-Ampthill wing Kwaku Asiedu broke on halfway and put in the number 7 in support left of posts. 7 v 7
The hosts took the lead with 25 minutes played – Ampthill conceded a penalty in midfield. Cambridge kicked to the corner and scored from the resulting maul. 14 v 7
The Mob took just two minutes to reduce the arrears – playing with advantage, Gwyn Parks kicked crossfield to Brandon Jackson who collected the ball in the air and dived over for his 13th try of the campaign. Conversion missed. 14 v 12
Just before halftime Ampthill restored their lead – a poor Cambridge kick collected by full back Bacon who chipped the hosts defence, collected the ball with a fortunate bounce and raced away to score under the posts. A simple conversion for Parks and the Mob lead 14 v 19 at the break.
Sam Asotasi replaced Samson Adejimi for the second half and the young Samoan took only two minutes to put himself on the scoresheet. Running a powerful line on halfway he broke the defence and with Jackson screaming for the ball to his left, he showed deft feet to step the defender and go inside to score. 14 v 26
By now the Mob were playing with confidence and when the backs combined to find Jackson outwide the winger backed himself to bag his 14th try capping a great season with the club. Parks conversion hit the post 14 v 31
Cambridge reduced the arrears with twenty to play – the number 8 picking up off the back of the sacrum and driving over under the posts. 21 v 31
With 71 minutes on the clock, Ampthill were awarded a penalty on halfway. Parks spoke to captain Strong and he pointed to the posts – a huge kick extending Ampthill lead to 21 v 34
Cambridge secured their bonus point with five to play – another penalty kicked to the corner and another try from the driving maul. 28 v 34.
When Ampthill were awarded another penalty from the restart, Parks again went for the posts and the three points put the game beyond Cambridge.
Final score Cambridge 28 v 37 1st XV
Following the game, Paul Turner said “We made hard work of it but did enough to get over the line today. We’re disappointed not to get top 6 but we’re happy to end the season with a win after a tough week with injuries. Cambridge are no mugs, they play some decent rugby, have a good set piece and we said if we gave them too many opportunities they would score and the score could’ve been alot closer. But ten wins, ten defeats, a fifty percent record is probably our best season in the Championship”Â
Starting XV:
15. Tom Bacon 14. Francis Moore 13. Oli Morris 12. Fraser Strachan 11. Brandon Jackson 10. Gwyn Parks 9. Charlie Bracken 1. James Flynn 2. Ben Chapman 3. James Johnston 4. Iwan Shenton 5. Griff Evans 6. Josh Smart 7. Samson Adejimi 8. Morgan Strong (c)
Replacements:
16.Dom Hardman 17. Zac Nearchou 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Beck Cutting 20. Sam Asotasi 21. Pete White 22. Josh Skelcey 23. Harry Legg
