The original club of Bedfordshire played host to the original club of North London, Saracens, to cap off a busy pre-season period ahead of the start to the new Elior Champ Rugby season.
A 2,517 supporter crowd attended AT Dillingham Park as the Mob got ready to take on a Sarries squad packed full of internationals and British and Irish Lions.
An incredible atmosphere had set this one up to be a classic for those in attendance as early on Mob hooker Harrison Dakin crashed over from close range to give the Mob the lead, with Luke Davidson nailing the conversion.
The challenge ahead of the hosts would be obvious with the likes of current England and British Lions captain Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly all part of the starting 15 for the visitors.
But it would be familiar face that would open the visitors scoring, Jack Bracken getting the ball out wide and he coasted into the corner, Farrell’s conversion drifting wide of the sticks.
The pressure would continue as another former Ampthill player, Toby Knight, put the hosts ahead. The back-rower finding the gap and beating the defence to score, this time the conversion successful.
Saracens would add their third not long after, this time yet another former Mob player, Charlie Bracken picking up the ball and weaving in and out of defenders before finally breaking free and scoring, the extras added to make it 7-19.
The Mob have shown through pre-season and at the back of last season that expressing some attacking flair wouldn’t be an issue and that would again be shown.
Oscar Bennett finishing off an incredible score with multiple offloads and line dents to narrow the gap to five points at 14-19 with 32 minutes gone and the Mob cheered on by over 2500 odd spectators pitch side.
However, it would be a tricky end to what was a very positive first 40, as Ollie Mullarkey was sent to the bin for an infringement at the breakdown, Sarries would capitalise with two quick scores from Jack Bracken, completing his hat-trick and leaving the score at 14-31.
Saracens changed their whole starting fifteen with further British Lions and test players gracing the turf at the Olney Field and the Mob also made a large number of changes. It became obvious that the difference in squad depth for the two respective clubs was going to have a significant impact on the second 40 minutes. The second half started with a bang as Fergus Burke ghosted over with a superb solo score followed by a rapid try from ex-Mob winger Tobias Elliott, 14-45.
A second try from Elliott, followed up by scores from Juan Martin-Gonzalez and Seva Kava extended the score to 14-66 with around 15 minutes remaining.
Saracens had just come off the back of hitting 96 on fellow Prem outfit Northampton Saints in the Prem Cup and with debutant Tomos Williams and established eight, Alfie Barberry it would be just too much for the hosts.
Three more scores for the visitors, this time two from last season’s Ampthill powerhouse Sione Va’enuku and one from another familiar face Finn Keylock put the game to rest in Bedfordshire.
There were plenty of positives to take from an excellent exercise for the Mob and it would be matched with a roar as Tom Gulley powered over from close range to get the A’s their third score, 21-87.
It would leave the visitors with just enough time to add another one, the second hat-trick for a previous Ampthill winger, this time Tobias Elliott as it wrapped up a busy afternoon to end pre-season.
The Mob go to the Athletic Ground in Richmond next Saturday 19th September to get the Elior Champ Rugby season underway with kick off at 5pm.
