Back
Eye on the Opposition - Ampthill
John Vaughan1 Nov - 10:21
Chinnor to face a heavily Saracens influenced Ampthill
Amphtill are the visitors on Saturday for what is only Chinnor's second home team game of the season. The Mob had the better of the games last season coming away with 2 closely fought wins in both encounters.
Ampthill's Champ campaign has been a rollercoaster, blending flashes of brilliance with sobering setbacks. The Bedfordshire outfit opened their season in style, storming past Cambridge with a commanding 45-24 victory away from home, a result that showcased their attacking intent and clinical finishing. A gritty 26-21 triumph over Cornish Pirates at Dillingham Park followed, fuelling optimism among the Mob faithful that Ampthill could punch above their weight this year.
However, reality bit hard in the subsequent rounds. Heavy defeats to Worcester Warriors (56-28) and Bedford Blues (66-12) exposed defensive frailties and raised questions about squad depth against the league’s heavyweights. Despite these stumbles, Ampthill sits mid-table with two wins from four, their 111 points scored tempered by 167 conceded – a statistic that underlines both their attacking flair and defensive vulnerability.
Dave Ward's ,Ampthill's new Director of Rugby, response to the heavy defeat in last week's local derby is to make wholesale changes. 7 Saracen players have been parachuted in to strengthen the team but maybe weaken team spirit and morale among the Mob's squad. Angus Hall, Sam Spink and Olamide Sodeke will add Premiership quality to the team
Other key figures have emerged in the early stages: captain Fraser Strachan has led from the centre with composure, while Ethan Jones’ sharp service at scrum-half has kept Ampthill’s backline ticking. Up front, seasoned prop James Johnston continues to anchor the scrum, offering experience in the heat of battle.
Josh Barton at fullback is one of the Champ's most dangerous counter attackers and with England 7s Sam Kildunne and Angus Hall Ampthill have a lethal looking back 3.
It's bound to be another raucous humdinger so make sure you get down to Kingsey Road to cheer on the boys .
Ampthill's Champ campaign has been a rollercoaster, blending flashes of brilliance with sobering setbacks. The Bedfordshire outfit opened their season in style, storming past Cambridge with a commanding 45-24 victory away from home, a result that showcased their attacking intent and clinical finishing. A gritty 26-21 triumph over Cornish Pirates at Dillingham Park followed, fuelling optimism among the Mob faithful that Ampthill could punch above their weight this year.
However, reality bit hard in the subsequent rounds. Heavy defeats to Worcester Warriors (56-28) and Bedford Blues (66-12) exposed defensive frailties and raised questions about squad depth against the league’s heavyweights. Despite these stumbles, Ampthill sits mid-table with two wins from four, their 111 points scored tempered by 167 conceded – a statistic that underlines both their attacking flair and defensive vulnerability.
Dave Ward's ,Ampthill's new Director of Rugby, response to the heavy defeat in last week's local derby is to make wholesale changes. 7 Saracen players have been parachuted in to strengthen the team but maybe weaken team spirit and morale among the Mob's squad. Angus Hall, Sam Spink and Olamide Sodeke will add Premiership quality to the team
Other key figures have emerged in the early stages: captain Fraser Strachan has led from the centre with composure, while Ethan Jones’ sharp service at scrum-half has kept Ampthill’s backline ticking. Up front, seasoned prop James Johnston continues to anchor the scrum, offering experience in the heat of battle.
Josh Barton at fullback is one of the Champ's most dangerous counter attackers and with England 7s Sam Kildunne and Angus Hall Ampthill have a lethal looking back 3.
It's bound to be another raucous humdinger so make sure you get down to Kingsey Road to cheer on the boys .
Further reading