Sep 26, 2026
The MOB welcomed Midland’s side, Nottingham, to Dillingham Park as we kicked off our home account in this seasons Elior Champ campaign.
Both sides won in last weekend’s opening weekend of Champ action and both were looking to make it two wins out of two to start the season.
Ampthill came into this one on a high after a last-minute win away at Richmond and that seemed to have continued.
Full-back, Elliot Gourlay, finding the space in the Archers defence to dot down under the posts after just 13 first-half minutes, fly-half Luke Davidson continuing his 100% record from the tee to convert.
On a bright day in the woods there was plenty of attacking rugby and it would be the visitors who struck second.
A silky bit of play from Nottingham fly-half, Shane O’Leary levelled scores as he weaved in and out of the MOB’s defence to score under the posts, after winger Joe Heslop was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on.
A packed crowd had turned out for this one and with ice cream, freshly made pizza and inflatables there was much to be excited about.
Things got even more exciting as the Welsh wizard, Efan Jones got on the end of lovely bit of play to take Ampthill back ahead, the score would be converted by Davidson, 14-7.
It looked like the A’s would go in ahead but a late score from Cody Vereti would take the sides in level at the break.
An end to end game saw both sides trading scores, but much like the first 40, it would be the MOB who opened the second half with a try.
Luke Davidson working it well in the midfield before breaking away to score infront of the bank, he’d also add the extras, 21-14.
Nottingham would respond minutes later this time Evan Mitchell finding some space before bundling over from close range, O’Leary again converting for the Archers.
The end to end feel to the game wouldn’t end there, a second from Gourlay following a superb line-break from Will Roue and another close range finish from Nottingham, this time through David Williams would give the visitors a slight lead, 26-28.
But much like in the Capital last weekend, the hosts would finish the stronger, Jack Bennett driving over from a lineout to score his first and Ampthill’s fifth try.
The MOB would hold on to make it two-out-of-two in this season’s Elior Champ with a visit to Hartpury next Friday night before being back at home against Doncaster Knights in two weeks time.
Tickets are available for Doncaster in the link below!
