January 25, 2025
After just four home league games in the opening four months of the season, Chinnor had the luxury of two home matches in consecutive weeks, with Ampthill following Ealing Trailfinders, who played under the Friday Night lights last weekend.
Chinnor supporters had better make the most of this, as apart from the Not The Prem Cup return match against Cambridge, their side are not schedule for any competitive action until March 22nd, a break of 8 weeks !
Chinnor started the day in 9th place, 5 points ahead of Ampthill, who had played one game fewer after their game against Hartpury University was abandoned in the first half after the referee was hit at close range by a clearing kick and needed to be taken to the hospital.
Ampthill
Ampthill were founded in 1881. Home is Dillingham Fields which now seems to be being called Olney Fields on the Ampthill website. I’ve not been to Ampthill’s ground, but it is famous for its long walk through a forest from the clubhouse to the pitch, where there are crash barriers on the mounds which make a natural amphitheatre surrounding the pitch.
Ampthill are commonly referred to as The Mob, a tongue in cheek reference to the Anthill Mob in Wacky Races !
In 2013/14 Ampthill finished second in National League 2 South but lost the promotion play-off to Darlington Mowden Park. In the following season, Ampthill had been level transferred to National League North but after another second-place finish, they beat Bishop’s Stortford to earn promotion to National League One.
Ampthill won the National League One championship in 2018/19 to be promoted to the Championship, where they have remained ever since. Last season Ampthill finished in 7th place, but their best finish was 5th in 2019/20.
Ampthill This Season
Ampthill have won three league matches out of ten so far this season. Their first victory came in the second week at home to Chinnor ( 31-29 – see below ), back-markers Caldy were vanquished 33-19 at home, and London Scottish were overcome at the RAG 15-14, which perhaps demonstrated that the Saracens Academy is slightly better than Harlequins’ !
An embarrassing 0-92 defeat was suffered at leaders Ealing Trailfinders, but the margin of their other defeats had been reasonably respectable.
Ampthill have been very reliant on Saracens Academy or fringe players this season. In last weekend’s 24-45 defeat at Bedford Blues, Ampthill started with 10 Saracens and had another on the bench. It was commented on the Rolling Maul Forum that nine Ampthill first team players were non-playing travelling reserves !
In the Premiership Rugby Cup, without their baby Sarries, Ampthill had been heavily beaten in their three matches played so far, losing 0-73 at home to Bath, 6-26 at Bedford Blues and 15-40 at Bristol Bears. A crowd of 1,986 turned up for the game against Bath.
Ampthill’s Head Coach is ex-Newbridge, Pontypool, Newport and Welsh fly-half Paul Turner ( 3 caps ) who was famous for being two footed, equally capable of kicking penalties and conversions with either foot depending on which side of the field the kick was being taken from.
Ampthill’s average home attendance this season was 905, ( 1,060 in 2023/24 ) with only Hartpury University and London Scottish having lower averages. The highest attendance was 1,222 for the Christmas fixture against Cornish Pirates.
Ampthill Squad
Ampthill’s leading points scorer this season was ex-Jersey Reds fly-half/full-back Josh Barton with 59 points, who is not to be confused with the Coventry and ex-Chinnor and London Scottish scrum-half of the same name ! The leading try scorer was Saracen Brandon Jackson with four tries.
Prop James Johnston won 16 caps for Samoa and had a long career with Harlequins, Saracens, Worcester Warriors, Brive and Nice but is now 38 years old. Fellow prop Richard Barrington played over 200 games for Saracens but joined Ampthill from French side Agen.
Tongan centre Sione Va'enuku was a convert from Rugby League, having played for NRL side Sydney Roosters, and full back Evan Mitchell previously played for Hinckley and Coventry.
Captain and centre Fraser Strachan was previously with Bedford Blues, Ealing Trailfinders and Doncaster Knights, Fijian number 8 Lemima Ravuvu joined Ampthill from the British Army, New Zealand prop Harrison Courtney played a handful of games for Edinburgh, and wing Oran McNulty played for Irish province Connacht.
Previous Meetings
As mentioned above, the two sides met in the second round of the season, with Ampthill winning 31-29 after Chinnor missed a late conversion to tie the scores, and then a penalty to win the game. Ampthill started the game with 9 Saracens with another one on the bench.
The sides met 2013/14 in National League 2 South when Ampthill won both times. A 21-11 win was recorded at Dillingham Park, whilst they snatched a 34-31 victory at Kingsey Road thanks to a superb long range last minute try from Dean Adamson. Ampthill finished second that season whilst Chinnor needed a final day victory over Exmouth to stay in the division.
The other meetings came in National League One in 2018/19 when newly promoted Chinnor recorded an unexpected but thrilling 38-33 home win in the second round against the title favourites. Ampthill won the return 38-27 and went on to win the league, Chinnor stayed up by one place, four points ahead of Sale.
Matchday Information
The journey from Ampthill to Thame is 34 miles and should normally take just over an hour down the A418 via Aylesbury.
Chinnor were marketing today’s game as “The Farmer’s Derby” with flat caps mandatory. They would have to do with Fatbear’s Barbour jacket !
The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was dry and cloudy with the sun trying to break through the clouds. The temperature was 5 degrees and the infamous Chinnor breeze absent. The Floodlights were already on.
With Saracens missing 9 players due to international call-ups, Ampthill made 10 changes to the XV that started against Bedford, with their matchday squad today including just two Saracens, forwards Kennedy Sylvester and Bradley Merritt. The changes were made up of 5 players who were subs last week stepping up, 3 of the non-playing traveling reserves from last week coming into the team, Saracen Merritt, and prop Barrington, who was not involved last week.
The Ampthill subs were made up of 5 of the non-playing traveling reserves, two subs from last week, and one player dropped from the starting XV.
Chinnor made four changes to the side that lost to Ealing, with George Worboys again returning on loan from Ealing, Harlequins Connor Slevin and Jonny Green coming into the side, with lock Green making his debut after ironically having been a substitute for London Scottish in December against Chinnor, and prop Rob Hardwick replacing Tim Hoyt to make his 50th appearance for The Villagers. Nick Smith and Will Feeney missed out through injuries incurred against Ealing and Alfie North dropped to the bench.
Ampthill were in shirts of claret and yellow hoops with black shorts whilst Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops.
Match Report
Ampthill kicked off towards the ring road end and Chinnor scrum half Luke Carter cleared for a lineout on the Chinnor 10 metre line. Sylvester won the lineout for Ampthill and scrum-half Rory Morgan sent a bouncing kick into touch on the Chinnor 22.
Scott Hall won the lineout from Chinnor to set-up Isiah Wharton for a bullocking run but after being tackled, Ampthill won a penalty, which they kicked to 5 metres. Ampthill secured their ball, and with a penalty advantage Barton chipped toward the corner flag but the ball bounced away from both sides’ wingers. Ampthill opted to take the points, and Barton kicked the close-range penalty to make it 0-3 with 5 minutes played.
Morgan’s kick after gathering the restart failed to find touch and Carter ran back at the Ampthill defence, after which Ryan Crowley went on a jinking run but Chinnor knocked on to give Ampthill a scrum in a central position near the halfway line. After a reset for a wheeling scrum, Chinnor were awarded a free-kick for early engagement by the Ampthill pack.
Chinnor took a quick tap and spread the ball wide giving Crowley a run down the touchline but with Slevin in support, a poor kick went straight to Ampthill full-back Mitchell to spurn a good opportunity.
Ampthill continued to kick away their possession and had the put-in at the scrum after Chinnor knocked the ball forward, but this time the free-kick was awarded to the visitors. Ampthill sent the ball into orbit but Chinnor gathered and made a number of drives before kicking back to Ampthill where Mitchell made the catch and ran into the advancing Chinnor defenders. The ball was spilt but the scrum went to Ampthill.
A period of kick-tennis followed until Mitchell kicked to touch on the half-way line. Green won the line-out for Chinnor and the ball was spread wide. Slevin made a lovely break and fed Crowley to again run down the touchline, but this time the inside pass found Thomas Watson in support and the centre cantered over for the home side’s first points. Worboys added the extras so it was now 7-3 after 17 minutes.
Strachan did well to catch the restart for Ampthill and The Mob made several drives towards the Chinnor 22, but they lost possession, and the loose ball was hoofed deep into the Ampthill 22. Barton was able to gather but was pounced upon by two Chinnor chasers, who forced a penalty for not releasing.
Chinnor kicked to 5 metres, but their rolling maul was well defended and when Chinnor drove for the line Ampthill won a turnover and kicked downfield. Slevin gathered the ball and released Crowley who set-off on a brilliant run to the Ampthill 22 only for Chinnor to be pinged for crossing when reworking possession.
Ampthill steadily worked their way into Chinnor territory, edging the midfield battle, but again Morgan kicked for Crowley to make under catch under the high ball and send the ball back into the Ampthill 22. Just as it looked like the ball would roll into touch, Mitchell kept it in play and kicked to touch for a lineout close to the half-way line.
Chinnor again looked dangerous as Slevin and Walker combined to give Crowley another run but the winger lost possession in the tackle midway inside the Ampthill half. Ampthill won a penalty at the scrum and after securing their lineout ball, Morgan again kicked high only for Crowley to take and call for the mark. A quick tap saw the ball moved inside the Chinnor to wing Keiran Goss, who kicked to Chinnor’s 10 metre line.
Ampthill again won their lineout and Morgan darted through a gap before deciding to chip a bouncing ball into touch. Chinnor were penalised at their throw and Ampthill kicked deep into the Chinnor 22. Ampthill’s rolling maul was moving towards the corner but collapsed, illegally in the opinion of the referee, who awarded the penalty try and showed a yellow card to Chinnor back-row forward Harry Dugmore. The score moved to 7-10 after 29 minutes.
Ampthill ran the restart back at Chinnor with McNulty making some yards before number 8 Ravuvu knocked on. The Chinnor scrum was going backwards but they managed to get the ball out from the base of the scrum, but Wharton only succeeded in passing straight to Morgan, and the Ampthill scrum half ran 60 metres to score an interception try under the posts. Barton converted to make in 7-17 after 33 minutes.
It soon got worse for the home side. After winning a line-out, Chinnor attempted to run only for Worboys to pass straight to Va’enuku, who ran unopposed for 50 metres for a second interception try in three minutes. It was now 7-24 after 36 minutes.
The errors continued to flow from Chinnor as they knocked on as they drove into the Ampthill 22. They did win a lineout just inside their own half and as they mauled into the Ampthill half they were awarded a penalty, which was kicked into the Ampthill 22. Chinnor’s drives were well defended and after a penalty was awarded to Chinnor, the home side pressed after a quick tap and Ampthill were penalised again. However, play was held up as Wharton needed treatment but thankfully didn’t need the stretcher that was brought onto the pitch, and he gingerly made his own way off the field.
Chinnor kicked the penalty to 5 metres but dropped the lineout and Ampthill gleefully kicked the ball off to end the first half.
Ampthill made a mess of collecting the restart to the second half but won turnover ball to kick to the half-way line. The sides exchanged kicks until Ampthill infringed after Slevin had claimed a high kick.
Chinnor kicked the penalty to midway inside the Ampthill half, and after the lineout was won, Willie Ryan drove deep into the Ampthill 22, then prop Keston Lines was stopped short of the line. The ball was given to the backs, and Worboys had a clear run to score. However, the fly-half missed with the conversion. The score had moved to 12-24 after 45 minutes.
Several Ampthill players were offside as they kicked-off but Chinnor were eventually able to gather and clear to touch. Chinnor won the Ampthill throw and Ryan kicked ahead into the Ampthill 22, but Mason Cullen was covering and cleared the danger.
The line-out was scrappy but Chinnor secured possession and Ampthill infringed when play moved to the centre of field. Chinnor were back in the Ampthill 22 and won the lineout with flanker George Stokes making a bid for the tryline. With a penalty advantage the Chinnor forwards drove several times for the line before going wide, but Crowley was unable to offload in the tackle.
Chinnor had another 5 metre lineout. The rolling maul was successful this time, with Stokes being credited with the try, and Worboys added an excellent conversion from out wide. Chinnor were back within touching distance with the score 19-24 with 53 minutes on the clock.
Barton showed a nice touch to chip over the onrushing Chinnor defence and chase his own kick, but Slevin was back to prevent any danger.
A nice attack involving Slevin and Walker took Chinnor to half-way and Ampthill knocked on at the ruck. From the scrum, Chinnor nearly gave away another interception try by passing to Strachan, but the Ampthill captain decided to kick into the Chinnor 22 but Crowley was able to get back and clear. Ampthill took a quick throw but after deciding to kick again, Ampthill were penalised for offside.
Shortly after Ampthill won a penalty at a ruck, but the kick to set-up an attacking position inside the Chinnor 22 failed to find touch, and more kick-tennis followed until Slevin kicked out on the full.
Ampthill knocked on at the lineout, and Chinnor won a penalty at the scrum, and two more infringements by The Mob allowed Chinnor to progress to the Ampthill 22. Chinnor won their line out and Hughes made a break to get close to the Ampthill like but when the ball was moved wide it was Chinnor’s turn to knock on.
Ampthill picked up at the scrum close to their line and won a penalty at the subsequent ruck. The game was now being played in the middle part of the pitch but after Ampthill won their lineout, a crunching tackle stopped their move, and they were pinged for not releasing.
Chinnor took play to the Ampthill 10 metre line with just over 10 minutes remaining, and from their lineout Worboys made his way into the Ampthill 22, but again Chinnor lost possession and the visitors were able to clear.
The lineout was knocked forward by an Ampthill forward to give Chinnor a scrum, from which Ryan made yardage with another drive, but when the ball was passed amongst the backs the pass to Crowley was too high and went into touch.
Ampthill were awarded a free kick for what appeared to be closing the gap at the lineout, which they launched to the heavens. Crowley again made the catch but after some drives from the Chinnor forwards, Ampthill won turnover ball. Again, it was kicked high and Slevin appeared to be tackled in the air in the act of making the catch. The ball bounced in Ampthill’s favour and they won a penalty at the ruck when Chinnor substitute Callum Pascoe thought the ball was out. Whilst the Ampthill players contemplated kicking to the corner, their bench was screaming at them to go for the posts. Eventually they heard and Barton’s successful kick left Chinnor needing two scores with it now being 19-28 after 75 minutes.
Chinnor again coughed up possession in midfield and Morgan kicked high again. Goss allowed the ball to bounce and Cullen nipped in to gather and race over in the corner. The conversion from Barton slid wide but The Mob now had an unassailable lead of 19-32 with 76 minutes gone.
Chinnor could still get two points if they scored a fourth try to get within 7 points but after a good break from Slevin, Chinnor gave away a penalty.
Chinnor then knocked in a messy piece of play after Ampthill had lost possession but redeemed themselves with a penalty at the scrum. As Chinnor pressed inside the Ampthill 22, Morgan deliberately knocked on to stop the ball reaching Crowley and was shown a yellow card.
In a bizarre final play, Chinnor threw far too long at the lineout, an Ampthill forward tried to kick the ball off to end the game but only kicked the ball across the pitch to Chinnor winger Goss. However, Chinnor were unable to take advantage of this gift and were forced into touch to end the game.
The 5 point victory for Ampthill moved them level on points with Chinnor from one game less played, but Chinnor stayed above them in the table due to a better points difference.
Without their Saracens players, Ampthill had a limited game plan with the half-backs kicking their possession and waiting for mistakes. The four tries came from two interceptions, a favourable bounce and a penalty try. However, they defended very well and forced Chinnor into numerous handling errors. Chinnor were also guilty of trying to force a score rather than staying patient and keeping the ball.
Chinnor now have the whole of February with a game, whilst Ampthill host Bristol Bears in the Premiership Cup next weekend
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-XhpCbVSe8
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