HITCHIN COUGARS v AMPTHILL ‘A’ Won 15-5
Ampthill travelled in significant numbers to KGV this morning, especially at U10’s with 3 teams and more spectators than I see at Vicarage Road some weekends. A tough morn was anticipated against some of Bedfordshire’s finest.
The Cougars had one of their wide awake mornings, getting into stride early doors. This was a cracking contest, with both sides contributing equal effort and skills, ball retention was particularly impressive for players so young. Ampthill started and were welcomed into the game by a double tackle from Morgan and Jack, they made inroads into our half and held possession for the first minute or so, with Cougars defending well and holding play around halfway. After the early storm, the boys hit back well, good rucking from Alex Morgan & Jack, Connor Ciaran & Sam B getting up to 5m. The scrums were a big test today, with Ampthill’s big forwards proving a tough obstacle to shove back. Quick hooking ensured we had plenty of ball, with Connor marshalling the backs. Ciaran & Jack both had good runs at the defence, Ampthill hit back, Sam B & Ciaran tackles and loose Ampthill offload picked out by Ethan B cutting inside for 5-0 lead. We soon had the ball back again with Sam K making a mazy run, then Ethan L closing the half with a fast break through midfield before being brought down by a fierce tackle. Cougars got second half under way with Ethan L powering into the visitors defence. To and fro game, great for the spectators. Ciaran tackles penalty to Cougars, Alex charge, to Ciaran going left, pressure in Ampthill half, but they battled to win ruck and spread the ball, excellent anticipation by Ciaran to pluck the pass from the sky and race through for a 10-0 lead. Further breaks from Sam B & Sam K as the Cougars continued to dominate. Morgan good work to steal their line-out ball. Ampthill attacks but strong Cougars defence out wide from Ethan L, Ethan B & Sam K pressuring and leading to ball spilled on ground for Ciaran to make a trademark pick up and dart for the line for 15-0. Ampthill hit back in the final play getting a deserved try, despite the continued tough tackling from the Cougars forwards and backs. This enjoyable game ended 15-5.
HITCHIN COUGARS v AMPTHILL ‘B’ Won 45-0
The second Cougars game was a great illustration of attacking strength, with some super try scoring. Jack started with a big burst up the centre, support from Dylan & Rory to secure ruck, and Connor spots gap to nip through for 5-0. We had soon got the ball back after some good defence by Sam K & Ethan L , Connor collects loose ball running up right touchline powers through four defenders to get in at corner for 10-0. Ampthill came back, great Cougar tackling Dylan & Kai in the thick of it. Great scrummaging by forwards in this game, here won their ball, Kai releasing Connor, to Jack who makes ground midfield, Connor big pass to Sam K going for left corner, defence up so slips ball inside to Jack who powered through two forwards to score for 15-0. Big defence in midfield by Connor & Sam B, Sam B gets ball and runs hard to left side 5m out held up, Kai & Connor support, and find speedy Sam K who scores for a half time 20-0 lead. Ampthill got the second half started but found the home defence unyielding. Turnover in midfield, Sam B big break to right, cutting through tackles to score for 25-0. Ampthill attacked and tried to spread the ball wide, Ciaran again deadly at stealing the pass off the top, mazy run past the last line of defence for super 30-0 score. Ampthill restart soon on back-foot, then some great team play as forwards secured good ruck ball, backs moved ball quickly, Dylan tackled just short of line, but Kai was on hand to pick up and score for 35-0. Great Cougars scrum work, pushed Ampthill back, ball spilled by backs, Ethan B picks up and nips through from 5m out for 40-0. Final score came with ruck ball from forwards, Ciaran spots space on right wing and gets over despite tackler hanging on, for a 45-0 final score.
HITCHIN COUGARS v AMPTHILL ‘A’ Lost 10-25
Ampthill A came out in a really determined mood for the final Cougars game, and it’s fair to say that we were a bit sluggish in the first half, allowing them to establish a dominant position. The second half Cougars performance was much improved in this tough final contest. Ampthill started the game, Cougars defended stoutly across the field, Sam B tackle to touch, Ampthill won lineout and powered through after a ruck 5m out to open the scoring 0-5. Ethan L run into heart of Ampthill defence, good maul from forwards, Ampthill very strong up front. Ampthill soon had ball and spread it wide quickly outpacing home defence on right wing to take score to 0-10. Ethan B run, good support from Kai & Max but attack held out. Ampthill finished the half with another score, again spreading the ball wide quickly to get in at the corner for 0-15 break. After invigorating words from Rob, the team looked more sprightly after the break. Forwards holding scrum well against the big opponents, and Connor quick to exploit gap to reduce arrears to 5-15. Ampthill hit back, winning scrum close to our line, their strong scrum-half powering over despite the home defenders hanging off him for 5-20. Cougars determined, good scrum ball won, Connor to SamB, ball spread to Ethan L who glided through defensive gap for 10-20. Ampthill onslaught held up by strong tackling by Cougars, Sam K & Sam B big hits. Despite Cougars best tackling efforts across the field, final score went to Ampthill with player stretching over the line for final 10-25 scoreline. This had been a really testing game, the Cougars improved as game went on, but didn’t offload enough to unleash our speedsters into space away from their strong forwards.
Team Morgan Noble, Jack Petre, Alexander Baber-Norris, Dylan Crofton, Rory Fookes, Kai Prpa, Connor Dudley, Ciaran Sale, Ethan Brace, Sam Bellinger, Samuel King, Ethan Lavialle, Max Ward
Scores 
League Tables