Ampthill Extras vs Tring 2s - 20-09-19

Tring kicked off and started well with some good attacking play not quite going to hand. Big defensive hits from Dan Wilton and JP led to turnovers and to Jack Doodson again making a good break but not quite finding his runners outside.
Ampthill were reduced to 14 men for a slapping the ball down at the back of a promising Tring ruck. The resultant kick to the corner failed to yield points but continued Tring’s pressure.
Just before the end of the 1st half, Ampthill had a driving maul 5m out which Tring collapsed. Ampthill chose an old-school tap and go from the penalty which was a poor choice as Dan Wilton and Jack Draper fired off the line to repel them back. Further Ampthill pressure after several more phases lead to them getting over the Tring line but only via a double movement at the bottom of the ruck.
Half time and no scores 0-0
Will Mitchell came on at 10 shuffling the backline with Owen Roach coming off after a solid first half performance. Line breaks from Matt King and Harvey Draper weren’t converted as they became isolated due to lack of support, conceding penalties or being turned over.
Ampthill were then penalised for kicking the ball through at the ruck. Tring kicked to the corner and several phases later were awarded a penalty in front which Will Mitchell converted to break the deadlock on 65 minutes. 0-3
From the restart Tring pressured Ampthill again and after a few good breaks were into the 22 where Jack Draper offloaded to Archie James sending him over from close range. The swirling wind took the conversion just wide but it was now a two score game with 10 to go. 0-8
Alfie Noble went off for Eamonn Borg-Neal after a good 70 min defensive shift
Tring conceded a penalty shortly after kick off which Ampthill put neatly into the corner. The maul from the lineout was held up over the line giving Ampthill another chance from the scrum. An Early push saw Ampthill tap and go from the free kick and after some frantic defence in which Tring committed multiple offences, Dan Wilton was Yellow carded as the ref was unsure who had committed the last offence but attributed the first infringement to him.
Ampthill chose the scrum and made it known they wanted to walk over but Tring held strong despite being a man down. The remaining few minutes were spent on the Tring 5 but despite Ampthill throwing everything they had at the Tring defence, they were finally held up at a maul and full time was called.
With new combinations starting to gel, Tring were frustrated in attack but the defensive effort could not be faulted making it one from one in the league so far.