Ampthill travelled to the Wirral looking to kick start their season with a win in Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup following a defeat to Newcastle Falcons last Saturday.
From the Caldy kick off the Mob set about their hosts, captain Morgan Strong setting the standards for his team to follow.
Ampthill could and should have scored as early as the third minute – Parks boomed a penalty to 7m and from the resulting lineout the As worked phases across the Caldy tryline until they were penalised for a double-movement allowing the hosts to exit.
Minutes later they did break the deadlock. A lineout on Caldys 22 set the platform – Strong peeled off and bounced three tackles on a rampaging 15m charge to the tryline. Birthday boy Gwyn Parks slotted the extras and the Mob lead 7-0.
The scores were soon level against the run of play – a penalty on halfway way kicked to 10m, lineout ball secured and then the maul broke down the Caldy prop picked up and burrowed over.
The Ampthill backs were enjoying the perfect rugby conditions and zipping the ball about and they combined for two further tries before half time – both finished by wing Ollie Dawkins.
Another Caldy catch and drive before half time reduced the deficit to 12-19 at oranges.
Early in second half another Caldy catch and drive levelled up the scores. Lots of effort from both teams ensued for the next 25 minutes but neither were able to add to the scoreboard until Parks elected to kick a penalty in the 75th minute! 19-22 with five to play.
Caldy weren’t giving up and camped in the Ampthill 22. With the penalty count clicking up, Strong was shown a yellow card and Caldy made their numerical advantage count with a last play play catch and drive – the backs piling in to force the home side over the line.
Head Coach Paul Turner after the game “it’s really disappointing to lose a game that we lead for 79 minutes. We created enough opportunities but need to learn to be more clinical”
