Post by Jamie Crawford on Jan 24, 2022 13:07:12 GMT
Ampthill Preview
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Round 17, Doncaster Knights v Ampthill, Castle Park, 29th February. KO 2.30pm
Ampthill Rugby Club
Play their games at Dillingham Park and rose to play in the Championship in 2019, for the 2019/20 season. Ampthill finished a creditable fifth that season, whilst the Knights finished ninth.
Recent head to head performances
The teams have only met three times since Ampthill were promoted and covid reduced the number of games for a couple of seasons. They have all been close games with the greatest winning margin being six points on 25th January two years ago when the Knights travelled home defeated 30-26. The time after that was 17-19 to the Knights on 3rd July 2021. Then on 30th October last year, it was a close game that the Knights won 18-20. The Knights started poorly and were trailing by two converted tries and a penalty (18-3) at the break. Ampthill’s tries were both scored from rolling mauls, with 2nd row Charlie Beckett and hooker Billy Harding benefited by putting the ball down over the line. Ampthill were down to 13 players for a while after two yellow cards in quick succession were handed out. Travelling supporters came home relieved and excited by Jack Spittle’s’ last-gasp 80m try.
Ampthill should have visited Castle Park towards the end of the 2019/20 but lockdown closed the season early.
Last time out
The Knights had their BYE weekend, whilst Ampthill welcomed Jersey Reds to Dillingham Park. Ampthill held Jersey to a 17-17 draw when the sides met at St Peter in October but they lost 12-17 to Jersey Reds last Saturday. Ampthill utility back Ben Cambriani and, back row Joe Bercis were their try-scorers. Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner had praised his teams “best defensive performance of the season”, it was 7-7 at half-time.
Ampthill danger men
Ampthill winger Ben Cambriani is the equal-eighth highest try-scorer in the Championship, hooker Jack Michael Dickinson has scored just three fewer.
Fly half Russell Bennett is the third highest points scorer in the Championship, after scoring just one point less than second and twelve points more than fourth-placed Knight; Sam Olver.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Ampthill are the Championship’s fifth highest scorers when playing away from home and they are the equal-fifth best travellers, as in number of away wins. Their strengths tend to be good back interplay to release their flying wingers, particularly Cambriani, who is listed as centre/wing. Therefore, the Knights don’t know what position he’ll play until the team is announced. Dickinson or whoever peeling off the set piece to score, such as a rolling maul is also a forte.
Saturday’s game
The Knights are second and keen to maintain their fortress Castle Park reputation. Ampthill are seventh and intent on resuming that winning feeling after a loss last week followed two wins.
A close game is in prospect after the three previous meetings had marginal victories.
Elsewhere in the championship:
Bedford Blues (6) v Hartpury (5)
Coventry (8) v Cornish Pirates (3)
London Scottish (11) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Jersey Reds (4) v Richmond (9)
Nottingham BYE
A win for the Knights could see them rise to the summit again IF the bottom-placed Scottish Exiles beat top-placed Ealing Trailfinders. An Ampthill win could see Doncaster Knights drop to fourth if the Pirates beat Coventry and the Reds beat Richmond.
Next week is a reserve weekend in the Championship; Doncaster Knights are going to take the opportunity to play their covid-delayed New Years Day match against Bedford Blues at Castle Park.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 17, Doncaster Knights v Ampthill, Castle Park, 29th February. KO 2.30pm
Ampthill Rugby Club
Play their games at Dillingham Park and rose to play in the Championship in 2019, for the 2019/20 season. Ampthill finished a creditable fifth that season, whilst the Knights finished ninth.
Recent head to head performances
The teams have only met three times since Ampthill were promoted and covid reduced the number of games for a couple of seasons. They have all been close games with the greatest winning margin being six points on 25th January two years ago when the Knights travelled home defeated 30-26. The time after that was 17-19 to the Knights on 3rd July 2021. Then on 30th October last year, it was a close game that the Knights won 18-20. The Knights started poorly and were trailing by two converted tries and a penalty (18-3) at the break. Ampthill’s tries were both scored from rolling mauls, with 2nd row Charlie Beckett and hooker Billy Harding benefited by putting the ball down over the line. Ampthill were down to 13 players for a while after two yellow cards in quick succession were handed out. Travelling supporters came home relieved and excited by Jack Spittle’s’ last-gasp 80m try.
Ampthill should have visited Castle Park towards the end of the 2019/20 but lockdown closed the season early.
Last time out
The Knights had their BYE weekend, whilst Ampthill welcomed Jersey Reds to Dillingham Park. Ampthill held Jersey to a 17-17 draw when the sides met at St Peter in October but they lost 12-17 to Jersey Reds last Saturday. Ampthill utility back Ben Cambriani and, back row Joe Bercis were their try-scorers. Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner had praised his teams “best defensive performance of the season”, it was 7-7 at half-time.
Ampthill danger men
Ampthill winger Ben Cambriani is the equal-eighth highest try-scorer in the Championship, hooker Jack Michael Dickinson has scored just three fewer.
Fly half Russell Bennett is the third highest points scorer in the Championship, after scoring just one point less than second and twelve points more than fourth-placed Knight; Sam Olver.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Ampthill are the Championship’s fifth highest scorers when playing away from home and they are the equal-fifth best travellers, as in number of away wins. Their strengths tend to be good back interplay to release their flying wingers, particularly Cambriani, who is listed as centre/wing. Therefore, the Knights don’t know what position he’ll play until the team is announced. Dickinson or whoever peeling off the set piece to score, such as a rolling maul is also a forte.
Saturday’s game
The Knights are second and keen to maintain their fortress Castle Park reputation. Ampthill are seventh and intent on resuming that winning feeling after a loss last week followed two wins.
A close game is in prospect after the three previous meetings had marginal victories.
Elsewhere in the championship:
Bedford Blues (6) v Hartpury (5)
Coventry (8) v Cornish Pirates (3)
London Scottish (11) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Jersey Reds (4) v Richmond (9)
Nottingham BYE
A win for the Knights could see them rise to the summit again IF the bottom-placed Scottish Exiles beat top-placed Ealing Trailfinders. An Ampthill win could see Doncaster Knights drop to fourth if the Pirates beat Coventry and the Reds beat Richmond.
Next week is a reserve weekend in the Championship; Doncaster Knights are going to take the opportunity to play their covid-delayed New Years Day match against Bedford Blues at Castle Park.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
