National League One: Wharfedale 12, Ampthill 29

AMPTHILL'S pack won this game in the first half with efficient catching and driving from the line-out.

Dale opened the scoring with a superb break from Huw Morgan, in which he beat the cover for an unconverted try but their mistakes led to ample Ampthill possession, and the visitors took their chances well, Villi Ma-asi scoring twice behind his pack, with Elliot Clements-Hill converting the first.

Poor handling from Dale then led to an attacking five-metre scrum for Ampthill, and the home crowd expected the As to push over.

The Green Machine did not retreat but quick ball allowed Clements-Hill to squeeze in at the corner, although he failed with the extras.

Another mistake gifted the ball to the same player, who ran from halfway to touch down under the posts before converting to stretched the lead to 5-24 from the tee.

Dale fought back well in the second half but good pressure from the Ampthill forwards and excellent handling from their backs gave Clements-Hill another score wide right but again the wind spoilt his attempt to convert.

Wharfedale’s pack got stronger as the game went on and were rewarded with a catch and drive try of their own, Chris Howick touching down, and with Jamie Guy slotting an excellent kick from wide left it meant that at least Dale won the second half!