Ampthill made the 329 mile journey to The Mennaye Field looking to build on last weekends 35 v 12 win against London Scottish with Head Coach Paul Turner made six changes to the starting fifteen this week – some tactical, some enforced.
With the pitch heavy after a week of rain in the South West, both sides were to be put under pressure by the conditions and the kicking game would be critical.
The Mob started fast and immediately put their hosts under pressure. From a lineout on the hosts 22 the visitors worked the ball wide, Tom Bacon broke the line and as he was tackled popped the ball up for Pete white who dived over the whitewash. An easy conversion for Gwyn Parks made it 0 v 7 with three minutes played.
Ampthill could and maybe should have extended their lead a few minutes later – a combination of the conditions and decision making costing a second try scoring opportunity.
With a quarter of the game gone Pirates were level. Their prop broke on his own 22, kicked the ball forward and following a second kick the Pirates wing won a footrace with Tom Bacon to touch down.
The game was still tight and both sides squandered opportunities to score before Pirates took the lead on 34 minutes. Pirates playing with advantage on As tryline popped the ball wide and Trewin wrestled through the line to score right of posts.
The hosts third on 39 minutes came from another kick chase – the wing again winning the race and third conversion left the score at 21 v 7. The scoreline not reflecting the possession and territory that Ampthill had created.
The second half would prove to be an arm wrestle as the conditions under foot continued to create problems for both sides, especially in the scrum.
Pirates extended their lead within five minutes of the restart – Ampthill were in an attacking position but a momentary lapse in concentration was punished as the Pirates wing collected the ball on his own 22 and went the length of the pitch to score. Conversion missed 26 v 7
Ampthill didn’t give up and continued taking teh fight to their hosts. Their efforts were rewarded with a second try on 62 minutes – Samson Adejimi capping a really strong performance with a try off the line out catch and drive and it looked like the Mob could get something from the game. 26 v 14 with 17 to play.
Both sides continued to trade blows but as the pitch cut up more and more, neither side would add to teh scoreline until Pirates secured their fifth try with the final play of the game. 33 v 14
Following the game, Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner commented “A disappointing result as we started so well. It was a tough game in difficult conditions. I really can’t fault the effort levels of our team but our consistency and our drill needs to get better overall. Basic fundamentals. Pirates didn’t really have to do a lot and they punished our mistakes. We have a couple of weeks off now before a very tough block of games starting against Ealing on 30th March at home”
Starting XV:
15. Tom Bacon 14. Brandon Jackson 13. Francis Moore 12. Oli Hartley 11. Tobias Elliot 10. Gwyn Parks 9. Pete White 1. Sam Crean 2. Samson Adejimi 3. James Johnston 4. Ollie Stonham 5. Iwan Shenton 6. Josh Smart 7. Toby Knight 8. Morgan Strong (c)
Replacements:
16.Beck Cutting 17. Jasper McGuire 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Griff Evans 20. Izzy Moore-Aiono 21. Harri Williams 22. Josh Barton 23. Fraser Strachan
Ampthill Points scorers:
Tries: White (3), Adejimi (62)
Conv: Parks (4, 63)
