Ampthill got off to a rapid start when just four minutes in, right wing Elliott Clements-Hill struck a 55 m penalty when Chinnor were penalised for not releasing. Ampthill kept up the pace and, just four minutes later, Joseph Tarrant went over for the first try. Clements-Hill added the extras to put the home side 10-0 ahead with just eight minutes played. Chinnor’s woes continued as open side flanker Max Williams was yellow carded for playing a man off the ball.

Ampthill continued to control the match with fly half Teague orchestrating most things with his boot. On 32 minutes, Clements-Hill had an easy penalty goal to put the home side 13-0 ahead. Chinnor scored their first points of the day on 34 minutes when Frank Jones executed a delicate chip over the onrushing defence for Millett to collect and feed Corpe who dotted down to put the Oxfordshire boys in at half time 13-5 down.

Chinnor started to play better in the second half and a promising phase of play was halted illegally in the Ampthill 22. MIllett struck the penalty to close the score to 13-6. Clements-Hill, with a penalty goal in the 55th minute extended the home side lead to 16-6. Chinnor then attacked the Ampthill line for a considerable period of time but came away only with a penalty from MIllett to make the match score 16-11.

An aimless kick downfield from Chinnor was returned at pace by Teague, not kicking the ball, who slipped a pass to Williams for Ampthill’s second try of the match to make the final score 21-11 to the Bedfordshire boys.

Chinnor had a poor first half but played much better in the second half and created a number of scoring opportunities which they failed to take. One or two more successful passes close to the Ampthill line might have saved the day for the Oxfordshire boys. Ampthill proved to be a useful side and their recruitment policy in attracting players from much higher leagues provided dividends, particularly in how they controlled large parts of the match.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Corpe T; Millett 2PG

Chinnor team:
Ricky Hopwood, Joe Marston, Leo Fielding, Sam Angell, Tristan Corpe, Will Millett, Frank Jones, Joe Winpenny, Tom Whelan, Andrew Berry, Liam Gilbert (c), Tom Mowbray, Andrew Tibbatts, Macsen Williams, Oscar Hirskyj-Douglas

Replacements: Jamie Townsend, Sam Ludgate, Adam Hastings , George Blewitt, Matt Mountford