Ampthill 50, Blaydon 14

 

Blaydon’s recent improved spell came to an abrupt end at the hands of a much better organised Ampthill, the Bedfordshire side very much having things all their own way until the final quarter when Blaydon grabbed a couple of consolation scores.
Blaydon on the other hand were off the pace for much of the game, contributing often to their own downfall by coughing up possession and generally can have little complaint at the comprehensive defeat.
Home fly-half Joe Tarrant was the first to make an impact by landing an early penalty and then converting his own try to make it 10-0 on 10 minutes. Missed tackles then led to a Sam Baker score and by the interval scrum-half Alex Mitchell had run in number 4 and Ampthill held a comfortable 22 points lead.
Within a minute of the restart Ampthill had rubbed salt into the wounds when former Blaydon centre Sam Hanks cruised in to score against his old club, and Baker very quickly followed with his second of the game. Tries number 6 and 7 were identical efforts from hooker Aleki Lutui, one of two Tongans in the home side, who simply rumbled over from close range, and Tarrant made it 6 conversions out of 7.
Fifth placed Ampthill were good value for their win being superior on the day in most departments, but at least Blaydon eventually got their act together with 2 late scores. Centre Tom Bramwell made an excellent break from half-way to release Kris Bratton who scooted clear down the wing before returning the pass for Bramwell to finish off in good style.
Andrew Baggett added the extras and was on target again near the end when replacement hooker Cameron Bell got the final score after the Blaydon pack had pushed their counterparts a good 15 metres back to their own line.

John Brennan