Buzzards 2nd team opened brightly against visitors Ampthill 5th, in this Banana Bread Beer League fixture, and had the first 20 minutes under control. After successive phases, centre Nick Geoghegan was unlucky not to score first, his breakthrough was judged to have dropped on going over the line.
Buzzards continued to press in successive phases, orchestrated by scrum-half George Pratt, until “Ace” McDade drew defenders and a neat backhanded flick left a huge gap for lock Dan Abbott to run through and score. Ampthill continued to be unsettled and a loose ball from a ruck on the 10 metre line was pounced on by colt Julian Gallie who kicked through to score, outpacing the Ampthill defense.
The penalty count started to increase for Ampthill and Buzzards were able to capitalize as from a tap penalty hooker Gary Lowe found the gap to touchdown. Ampthill finally realized they had a game on their hands and the remainder of the half Buzzards defended stoutly to deny the visitors.
A yellow card for Gallie, for accosting a forward, put additional pressure on the defence which held. Ampthill continued to put the Buzzards line under duress which increased when prop Elliot Swann was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle. With 13 men, Buzzards finally succumbed as Ampthill scored their only try.
Ampthill persisted in their assault on the Buzzard line but it was the hosts who added the final flourish when forward Joe Baker showed his pace to break through, side-stepping the full back, to score. Final score 24 – 7,
Buzzards retain their position at the top of the table.