Ampthill caught out as Jersey get off to a flier

By KEVIN MILLER

Ampthill …………21pts

Tries: Stonham 33, Ma'asi-White 48, Dan 64

Conversions: Hardwick 34, 49, 65

Jersey …………….36pts

Tries: Woollett 7, 17, Penalty 25, Lawrence 39, Lewis 60

Conversions: Bennett 8, 18, Cope 61

Penalties: Cope 47

Jersey Reds secured an impressive opening weekend victory over Ampthill in what proved a convincing display at Dillingham Park.

Ampthill head coach Paul Turner said: “We prepared well and knew what Jersey are about. Our set piece struggled but we were still tactically naive and poured a lot of pressure on ourselves.

“We talked about matching the Jersey kick-chase game and ultimately it was our downfall.

“Jersey took a 26-7 lead into half time and by that point it was game over. We improved in the second half but have a lot to work on before Ealing visit next Saturday.”

From the kick-off Ampthill put themselves under pressure as a sliced kick gave possession back to the visitors and then produced the first of 15 penalties against the hosts.

Jersey took only seven minutes to open the scoring as Ben Woollett come inside to break the Ampthill line.

Woollett collected his second on 18 minutes with the Ampthill defence gift-ing Jersey an overlap on the right wing for an easy finish.

A 25th minute penalty try for pulling down the maul gave Jersey a 19- point lead.

Ollie Stonham reduced the arrears to on 33 minutes. Impessive Wasps loanee Rekeiti Ma'asi-White-White broke through and from recycled ball and Stonham dive over wide left.

Jersey secured their bonus point before half time with Alun Lawrence's try earning them a 26-7 lead at the break.

Ampthill improved in the second half and scored two tries to Jersey one.

Ma'asi-White-White intercepted on his own 22 to run away and score before Theo Dan scored his second in two games for Ampthill finishing from a line-out and maul.

Jersey wing Tomi Lewis added the Reds' fifth try with a relatively simple finish that rounded off a successful victory for the visitors.