It’s been a long run of matches since the Extras have managed to get one over their local rivals in a league match, but some things are worth waiting for.
On local derby day, a few encouraging hash-tags were flying around Extras’ social media sights. It was clear that the Ampthill side was up for this match. The occasion did not disappoint.
The match started with Extras looking the stronger of the sides. After a period of Extras’ pressure, Woody, filling in at flanker, crossed the line to score. First blood Extras. Robbie Thomas duly converted.
The Athletic came back at Ampthill and secured a penalty just outside the Extras’ twenty-two. Much to the crowd’s displeasure, the visitors chose to kick the penalty. 7-3.
Athletic added to their score when their centre cut through the Ampthill defence. 7-10. As half time loomed the visitors had taken the lead.
As the intense encounter played out, tempers started to flare. Handbags between Ampthill centre Garwood and Athletic’s fly-half resulted in referee Stanbridge sending both offenders to the sin bin.
Despite the Extras having the better of the first forty minutes, the Athletic went into the break with their noses slightly in front.
At the start of the second half, the Athletic widened their lead to ten points when they scored and converted a try. 7-17. The Extras now had their work cut out for them.
Mrs Brown’s boy, Matt, was next to score and with Robbie’s conversion the gap was narrowed to three points.
Cookie’s try put the Extras back into the lead, 19-17. This match was tight as both teams battled for the spoils. The 60 or so fans were certainly being entertained.
Chris Day was next over the line. No sooner after having a bit of breathing space with the scoreline, the Athletic fired back with a try. 24-22.
The icing on the cake came when, from a tapped penalty, the Extras battled to the Athletic try line and ‘Ole Man’ Kitch, powered by his taped together boots crashed over the line. 29-22.
The drama continued. Defending a final Athletic onslaught, Matt Munwill only had to touch down a kicked through ball to keep the 7 point lead. Unfortunately the ball bobbled between his legs to be nicely positioned for the oncoming Ath player to run through and score.
An Athletic conversion would have leveled the affair. With great relief from the partisan crowd, the conversion attempt was wide. The Extras played out the dying seconds of this highly entertaining match to take the spoils.
As coach Andy Hill stated, this was a squad win and a deserved one at that. All twenty Extras had played their part.