4th xv v Ampthill 10th April 2010

4th xv 27 v Ampthill 32

Buzzards welcomed the visitors for the second time this season, a match that had a hint of de ja vu about it, as in similar circumstances last year Ampthill stepped in as last minute opponent to run the gauntlet of the 4th XV on the main pitch at Wrights Meadow. Just as last year, the sun was blazing down on the famous ground and a bumper crowd had turned out to watch, and just as last yeat a thrilling finale resulted in a 32-27 victory, however it was Ampthill who were the victors this year.

The visitors looked spent as they trailed 20-15 with Buzzards camped deep in the Ampthill half with 20 minutes remaining on the clock, but the match turned with a controversial sin binning of flanker Gary Denning that saw the balance switch to the visitors who finished strongly and with just 4 minutes left, crashed over to break Buzzard hearts with a well worked try.

Fly-half Tony Gear delivered a supreme tactical display that included a hat-trick of tries, a penalty and a conversion double, while lock Martin Rowe also grabbed a try, crossing out wide for his third of the season after centre Jake Wheeler was held up moments before..

But Ampthill, who had kept in touch throughout, prevailed as they lanced through the Buzzard defence late on, It was rough justice on the Buzzards, who dominated most of the game in arguably their most complete performance of the season.

However they could not finish Ampthill off, despite having them on the ropes for so long, as the home side let slip a famous victory and Ampthill staged an impressive comeback.

The visitors quickly showed they were not over-awed by the occassion as they stunned Leighton with a ninth-minute try. As regular Waggledance League opposition, Ampthill had beaten Buzzards both home and away and both sides were familiar with their opponents. Ampthill opened the scoring after gaining good territory within the Buzzards 22, the conversion was missed

Buzzards hit back through Tony Gear whose gazelle like sprinting left Ampthill rooted to the floor, a fine conversion saw the extras added to see the home side take the lead. Buzzards were horribly disorganised in defence for periods, and Ampthill took advantage with a second try as they queued up out wide a three man overlap.

Buzzards were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and frantic instruction from 4th XV svengali James Davis on the sidelines saw Tony Gear slot the kick to tie the game at 10-10. Ampthill cut loose again and were back in front through a rolling maul that trundled up field unstoppable - a forwards try straight from the coaching manual - conversion added.

Just before half time inside centre Jake Wheeler made an incisive break through the defence to cross the line, exquisite defending saw him turned on his back and held up, no try, but a penalty was awarded for an infringement - Buzzards went quickly through scrum half Dan Howard who found captain Martin Rowe who leapt like a slippery salmon across the line to the delight of the home fans. Conversion added - Half time 17-17.

First blood of the second half went to Buzzards as fly-half Tony Gear looped round as the ball went through the hands of Jake Wheeler and Neil Morris creating the overlap, conversion missed keeping the score at 22-17. From the restart Buzzards looked lively again as Stuart Ferris nearly caught the visitors napping on a cheeky restart before being forced off with a knee injury. Flanker Gary Denning was playing exceptionally well and made 20 yards on a powerful solo break, Denning was to be the focus of attention shortly as he was controversially given ten minutes in the sin-bin as Leighton were camped under the Ampthill posts. From the resultant penalty Ampthill went the length of the field against 14 men Leighton and were duely rewarded with a score bringing the game level again. Before Denning returned Ampthill scored to take the lead for the first time in the second half as poor defence cost Buzzards once more. 22-27.

Ampthill were beginning to find their feet, Tony Gear though, the game's dominant figure, grabbed a third try, although was forced out wide making the subsequent conversion difficult - conversion missed to keep the score at 27-27 to set up a nerve-shredding finale.

Buzzards looked to break down the vistors but Ampthill struck out left with minutes left on the clock – the Ampthill centre raising his arm in triumph before crossing the line – and breaking the hearts of the Buzzards.