Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner was left frustrated by his sides game management after a thirteen try thriller at the University Stadium
“We were very disappointed with the result. Hartpury are a good side but we made it easy for them despite scoring 5 tries ourselves. We were in a position both in the first half and again early in the second to finish the game off and we’ve not been able to do that.
We’re a young team but our game management and accountability in both attack and defence needs to improve. Our set piece was always second best and all these facets really needs to get better if we’re to get consistent results in the second half of the season.
We spoke about a few things at half time and got a great response initially then let ourselves down badly as second half progressed.
It’s frustrating but credit to Hartpury for the win today, their pack gave them a good platform but I felt we helped them and we offered them plenty of opportunities to win the game in last 20 minutes. We’ve a lot to work on”
Hartpury are one of the form teams in the Championship with three wins from four going into the game but it was the Mob who looked the likely victors from the opening exchanges.
The visitors raced into a 0 v 14 lead with the first two plays of the game – first White putting Ben Harris through a gap in the Hartpury defence to score left of posts and then centre Brandon Jackson intercepted a pass in his own half to race home. Josh Barton adding the extras on both occasions.
Hartpury hit back with their first attack – their set piece going to work and a first driving maul try on 8 minutes.
The Mob extended their lead soon after with a catch and drive of their own, captain Morgan Strong credited with the try. Barton had to wait to take the kick while a Student received treatment and pushed the resulting kick wide. 7 – 19 after 12 minutes.
Halfway through the half Hartpury reduced the arrears again – quick ball from Hartpury across the Ampthill tryline and they dive over in the corner. Conversion from the touchline 14 – 19
Five minutes later the hosts took the lead for the first time in the game – a 5m line out the platform for phases of play before a try by the right post. 21 – 19 and final score of the first half.
Ampthill started the second half like the first. The Hartpury kick off received by Strong who carried hard and made territory – the lball worked out to Elliot who chipped the defender and recovered his kick to score. 21 – 24
Minutes later Ampthill could and should have scored again – Jackson clear through the middle and only stopped by a tap tackle and yellow card for Hartpury. Barton slotted the resulting penalty to extend the lead to 21 – 27
The two teams then exchanged tries – first Hartpury capitalised on an overthrown line out in the As twenty-two for an easy score, before the Mob hit back with a well worked try started by Bacon and finished by Josh Hallett, Barton again on target from the touchline, 28 – 34 with 50 minutes played.
Ampthill would play most of the final 30 minutes with a man disadvantage – Harvey Beaton getting a yellow for a high tackle and Cai Devine being judged to bring down a maul shortly after his introduction with ten minutes to go.
As the Ampthill penalty count racked up, another four Hartpury tries in the final twenty minutes – two catch and maul drives, a penalty and a well worked final try in the corner would see the hosts run out 54 -34 winners.
Ampthill with “a lot to work on” before the visit of Nottingham next Saturday.
Starting XV:
15. Tom Bacon 14. Tobias Elliot 13. Brandon Jackson 12. Josh Hallett 11. Ben Harris 10. Josh Barton 9. Pete White 1. Zac Nearchou 2. Ben Chapman 3. Dom Hardman 4. Joe Peard 5. Kaden Pearce-Paul 6. Izzy Moore-Aiono 7. Josh Smart 8. Morgan Strong (c)
Replacements:
16. Syd Blackmore 17. Jasper McGuire 18. Jevaughn Warren 19. Cai Devine 20. Nathan Michelow 21. Joe Green 22. Gwyn Parks 23. Fraser Strachan
Ampthill Points Scorers:
Tries: Harris, Jackson, Strong, Elliot, Hallett
Conv: Barton (3)
Pen: Barton
Yellow Card: Beaton, Devine
Red Card: n/a
