Bishops Stortford 1st XV 19 Ampthill 39

Playing into the strong wind, Stortford got off to a poor start, being stripped of the ball after fielding the kick-off well. The visitors proceeded to camp in the home 22 and, after being twice held up over the line from 5 metre scrums, stuck to their game plan and finally registered a try to Stuart Riding, packing at No. 8, despite wearing the 6 shirt. Despite continuing to dominate proceedings through their powerful pack, it was a further 15 minutes before Ampthill's next score, this time set up by Riding from the back of yet another 5 metre scrum (taken in preference to a penalty) for scrumhalf, Kieron Davies. The conversion was kicked to take the score to 0-12. After 35 minutes, it took an excellent cover tackle from Jimmy Rae to prevent a try out wide on the right wing, but, unfortunately, this merely led to yet another 5 metre scrum, from which Riding again touched down for a converted try. Just to prove that they weren't entirely a "one trick pony" Ampthill registerd their next try after 40 minutes via outside centre, Paul Davies - albeit directly from a ball stripped by a visiting forward from Stortford, as they attempted to run the ball out of their 22. There was just enough time left in the half, though, for Stortford finally to capitalise on some promising backs play to score a try. The position was set up from a penalty taken quickly by no. 8, Damian Sangster and carried on by prop, Olly Day, setting up good ball which Tom Coleman used to great effect by throwing a well-judged miss pass direct to right wing, Harry Marner to set him free, only for the Ampthill fullback to make a tremendous covering tackle. The winger did extremely well, though to pass inside as he went to ground, finding Coleman in support to touch down out wide. 5-24 at half time.

Eight minutes into the second half and Ampthill registered another try wide on the right - via Riding, yet again - after Stortford were once more stripped of the ball as they tried to run the ball out of defence - despite now having the wind at their backs. After another 10 minutes, the visitors went back to basics, with another try to Riding off the back of yet another 5 metre scrum. Twenty minutes into the half, Ampthill's 7, Matthew Burke was yellow carded for a high tackle on Simon Wasley, who had only just entered the fray, as substitute for winger, Marner. The youngster quickly took his revenge for the offence in the best possible way, however, running in behind the posts from some 25 metres out, after good ball was won from a maul set up from the lineout following the penalty for the dangerous tackle. Coleman converted to take the score to 12-34. Even deprived of one forward, the big Ampthill pack once again took the initiative, resulting in yet another try (his fifth!)for Riding - this time off the back of a loose maul set up from a 5 metre lineout. Three minutes later and Stortford were in turn reduced to 14 men, when Hamish Irvine was penalised for a late tackle. Ironically, it was the home side that registered the final score of the game, with a second try to Wasley, who broke through a couple of tackles to touchdown after a great break by Coleman and an excellent long pass to his wingman. Coleman capped this with a very good conversion from out wide to take the final score to 19-39.

The Mercedes man of the match for Bishop's Stortford was scrumhalf, Joe Foster for a very gritty overall performance, which got him the coaches' vote over Rae and Wasley.