Ampthill complete their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign tomorrow when local rivals Bedford Blues visit Dillingham Park for a third #BattleofBedfordshire this season.
Both sides played Premiership opposition last Friday with Blues overcoming Bristol Bears at Goldington Road whilst Ampthill lost 50-7 to an experienced Bath side at The Rec.
Head Coach Paul Turner a similar Match Day squad to the one that travelled to The Rec last weekend with only three changes in the Starting fifteen and another three on the bench.
Callum Norrie starts at tighthead this week alongside Luke Thompson and Harrison Courtney in the front row. Jake Parkinson and Aidan King continue in the engine room whilst in the back row Arthur Thomas retains the six shirt, Charles Rylands reverts to his familiar openside flanker role against his old team, and Tongan Valentino Mapalangi makes his first start since the reverse fixture in November at number eight.
Turner makes only one change in the backs division this week, Rec try-scorer Wilson Ijeh is ruled out allowing Tom Barton to make his full debut on the right wing.
Club record appearance holder and 1881 Head Coach ‘Super’ Gav Williams is again among the replacements along with a potential debutant in Hartpury student Joe Adams.
Ahead of the game, Paul Turner said “it was a great experience to take this group to The Rec last weekend, but it’ll be good to get back to The Olney Field and meet some familiar opposition. The players and supporters really enjoy these local derbies, local bragging rights are at stake. We’ve had a good week preparing as a group and selection was quite easy but know the threat Blues present and we’ll need to be at our best to get the result we want”
Ampthill v Bedford Blues. Kick-Off 2pm on The Olney Field. Gates open at 12:30. Tickets available at xxxx
Starting XV
1. Harrison Courtney 2. Luke Thompson 3. Callum Norrie 4. Jake Parkinson 5. Aidan King, 6. Arthur King, 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Valentino Mapalangi 9. Rory Morgan, 10. Josh Barton, 11. Oran McNulty 12. Fraser Strachan © 13. Byron Sharwood 14. Tom Barton 15. Evan Mitchell
Replacements:
16 Syd Blackmore 17. Richard Barrington 18. James Flynn 19. Lekima Ravuvu 20. Barnet Merrett 21. Charlie West 22. Gavin Williams 23. Joe Adams
