Although the 5 affected players eventually declared themselves able to play, some of them were still obviously below par. This undoubtedly affected the team performance against the League leaders who had players with Premiership experience in key positions.

The pattern of the match was soon established. Waves of Ampthill attacks foundered on well organized Harrogate defence until scrum half Kevin Barratt’s dummy created a gap for him to score under the posts. Joe Tarrant’s conversion made it 7-0 after six minutes.

Harrogate continued to defend valiantly and to set up counter attacks from some hard won turnover ball largely through the efforts of Tom Harvey and Tim Heaton. Sharp breaks from centres Sam Bottomley and Luke Edwards tested the excellent home defence but Ampthill’s powerful scrummaging won them a succession of penalties from which they continued to opt for another scrum. A penalty try was eventually awarded to extend their lead.

The pressure continued though the introduction of young substitute prop, Will Scholey tightened Harrogate’s scrummaging. Ampthill were penalised for an offside offence but Harrogate had exacted their own retribution and the penalty was reversed. The ball was spun right and winger Lee Anker scored in the corner to make it 19-0 at the break.

There was a high tempo start to the second half with both sets of forwards winning turnover ball from each other. Willem Enslin’s power play was impressive but it was Ampthill who won the crucial turnover to put left winger Gareth Clarke away to score.

Edwards was then wrong footed in Harrogate’s defence and, in trying to recover, was harshly judged to have tripped the attacker and was yellow carded. Harrogate continued to attack but the numerical advantage was demonstrated when Barratt intercepted a pass and sprinted clear for a 50 metres converted try. The scoreline from then seems to show that the floodgates had opened but Harrogate continued to throw everything into defence and to try to attack at every opportunity.

Further home tries were scored by Clarke, Brendan Burke, Anker and Karim Lynch but Harrogate’s heads never went down. In the dying moments, Enslin’s strong drive set up an attack and Harrogate took a quick penalty. Ampthill had failed to retreat 10 metres so Harrogate tapped and ran again. Callum Irvine supported on the left and, although apparently well covered, jinked through the defence to score. Joe Rowntree’s touchline conversion was the last move of the match.

Ampthill: Lynch, Anker,B Burke, Raven, Clarke, Tarrant, Barratt, Brunger, Ma’asi, Collins, Hehea, Scharff, Bray, Bercis, M Burke. Substitutes (all used) Wright, Bloisi,Nutley, Duffin, Williams

Harrogate: Rowntree, Bottomley, L Minikin, Edwards, Audsley-Beck, Irvine, Matthews, Boyde, Nyemba, Reaveley, Brady, Harvey, Wilson, N Minikin, Heaton. Substitutes (all used) Scholey, Enslin, Smith, Yorke, Leadley.

Referee: Luke Haskin (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack