Grimoldby on target to guide Blues past Ampthill

By BEN WHITE

Ampthill…………19pts

Tries: Bacon 8, Bracken 23, Morris 43 Conversions: Parks 24, 44

Bedford ………… 24pts

Tries: Conway 38, Howard 63, French 76 Conversions: Grimoldby 39, 64, 77 Penalties: Grimoldby 80

A brilliant late touchline conversion and penalty from former Ampthill fly-half Louis Grimoldby, secured a narrow win for Bedford at Dillingham Park over their wasteful hosts in the Premiership Cup.

Despite a strong start from Bedford, Ampthill scored the first try in the eighth minute. The ball was spread to Ollie Dawkins, who beat his man and put in a brilliant grubber kick, sending the Blues defence into a tailspin, with the ball eventually grounded by full back Tom Bacon.

Ampthill extended their lead to 12-0, thanks to brilliant work from flanker Josh Smart on blindside, who evaded the tackler before delivering an outstanding offload to scrum half Charlie Bracken who had the easy task of strolling over.

However, on the stroke of half time, Bedford scored their first try of the afternoon after prop Joey Conway bundled his way over the whitewash.

Ampthill head coach Paul Turner felt his side should have been comfortably in front at the break, and said: “At half time we should have been way ahead, we missed so many opportunities and it came back to haunt us.”

After half time, Ampthill scored almost straight away, with a loopy pass intercepted by Ampthill centre Oli Morris, and with no one in his way, he raced to the line.

Bedford began to build the pressure, winning five scrum penalties in a row, and following a yellow card to prop Zac Nearchou, Bedford finally scored their second try with Joe Howard forcing his way over in the 63rd minute.

Ampthill survived the rest of the sin bin period, but in the 76th minute, Bedford scored a try to level the game, after winger Seán French superbly finished a flowing move.

Former Ampthill fly half Grimoldby had the chance to kick the Blues into the lead for the first time with a tough touchline conversion, but he duly obliged to put Bedford 21-19 up with just three minutes left.

Bedford secured a penalty in the last minute of the match, and Grimoldby kicked it over the posts to secure the win for the Blues.

Speaking after his match winning contribution, Grimoldby said “It's always nice to kick the goals, but that's what I'm here to do.”