4th xv 12 v Ampthill 58

Leighton Buzzard 4th XV's unbeaten start to 2010 was halted by a dominant Ampthill at Dillingham Park on Saturday. Buzzards were buoyed by running out handsome winners in their previous three matches. The travelling support were given something to cheer about early on as superb forward play from the visitors provided a great attacking platform, the ball was sent swiftly through the hands to Tony Gear who crossed to open the afternoons scoring, Gear added the extras to put Leighton 7-0 up.

Ampthill struck back immediately with an impressive surge down the right flank, they were halted 10 metres out but were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly by the back row who surged over to bring Ampthill back within two points with the conversion missed. The game was quickly becoming clear that whilst Buzzards had the edge in the forwards, Ampthill were very dangerous in the backs and attacked with some dynamic running and meshed like cogs.

Scrummaging from Buzzards was once again superb allowing the backs to attack, however Ampthill quckly extinguished the Buzzard flame in attack. Powerhouses Gary Denning, Stuart Ferris and Nigel Eaton made good yardage with the ball in hand and prop-forward Mark "Chopper" Stallen was unlucky not to cross in the corner for a try. After 30 minutes Ampthill were 12-7 in the lead as Buzzards looked dangerous looking to retake the lead, however a quick salvo of trys before half time dampened the Buzzard comeback at its most potent.

Although Ampthill stretched their legs in the second half by opening up the lead with some attractive rugby, Leighton did not capitulate and indeec played some fine rugby, Ace McDade was unlucky to not score having done the hard work hurdling a pile of bodies before being brought down. Buzzards handed debuts to Ty Chalia on the wing and Harvey Creber at flank who both showed great promise, Chalia exciting with his first touch of the ball darting through midfield. Lewis Woodford was handed a starting debut at outside centre and fitted well into the Leighton Buzzard line-up.

Buzzards reward was a final score by Tony Gear, taking the scenic route to the try-line - the full back visibly pleased with his effort was congratulated by his team-mates.

Speaking after the match sidelined captain James Davis was in an upbeat mood, "The effort the players put in today was as ever excellent - Ampthill really worked us hard and ran out deserved winners, showing the form that could see them crowned champions come April."

"At times our execution wasn't always there and we needed to pay more attention to detail - we were certainly not as fluid as we were in previous weeks, which may have allowed the scoreline to flatter Ampthill, but the main positive to take from the match was the solid performance from our scrum once again."