PROGRAMME £2

AMPTHILL V. DONCASTER KNIGHTS 25TH JANUARY 2020

KICK OFF 1.45PM

SENIOR PARTNERS PrimaryPRIMARY Partner PARTNER:

Ampthill & District Community Rugby Club Limited Senior Partners: Dillingham Park, Woburn St, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2HX www.ampthillrufc.com Tel: 01525 403303 Vat Reg No. 196 7536 11 Registered in England and Wales 00629333

WELCOME

Chairman’s welcome to Doncaster Knights RUFC

This is another historic day at Ampthill. Our guests today are Doncaster Knights RFC who visit Ampthill for a first competitive fixture. We extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters to Dillingham Park today. Two individuals are very well known to Ampthill. The first is former Ampthill favourite, big Joe Sproston. Joe left us in 2015 to join Doncaster where he still playstoday. Over the 2016/17 season he suffered injuries which caused him to have a stuttering year but he now seems to be back to full strength and featured in 24 appearances last year. Welcome back Joe. The second is Director of Rugby Mr Clive Griffiths who spent a short time coaching at Ampthill in 2009. Clive started his playing career at Welsh side Llanelli RFC, before a move to rugby league with St. Helens and Salford. Also representing Wales in both types of rugby, Clive spent 10 years as coach to the Welsh rugby league team, twice taking them to the semi-final stage of the World Cup and winning the European Championship for the first time in 57 years. The 64-year- old has a wealth of coaching experience and most notably was part of the set up as the Welsh rugby union side prepared for the 2003 World Cup and Home Nations campaigns. Our season must be described as rather up and down! After a sensational win against Coventry at the Grange Jaguar-Land Rover Bowl we travelled to Ealing Trailfinders. The least said about that the better. Ealing looked scintillating in attack, powerful in defence and very professional in everything they did. When a team playing at the top of their game meet another who, quite frankly looked far from their best, the score line tells the story. Having said that, we somehow gained a losing bonus point! Today is another day. Let us get behind the boys and show all of our visitors the “mob roar” from the banking. This year was always going to be difficult, we all knew that, but our team have risen to the challenge (in some cases beyond our wildest dreams)!

Have a great day. Come on you A’s.

Alex Radley - Chairman, Ampthill and District RUFC

2 Saturday 25th January 2020 Ampthill & District RUFC v Doncaster Knights

ACHIEVEMENTS PRESIDENT NATIONAL 1 LEAGUE WINNERS 2018-2019 Pat Sherry [email protected] NATIONAL 1 4TH PLACE 2017-2018 NATIONAL 1 3RD PLACE 2016-2017 CHAIRMAN Alex Radley NATIONAL 1 4TH PLACE 2015-2016 [email protected] NATIONAL 2 PROMOTION PLAYOFF WINNERS 2014-15 CHAIRMAN OF MINI & YOUTH NATIONAL 2 NORTH RUNNERS-UP 2014-15 James Wiggett NATIONAL 2 SOUTH 2013-2014 RUNNERS UP ChairmanMiniYouth@ ampthillrufc.com LEAGUE WINNERS 2012/13 HONORARY SECRETARY WINNERS OF EAST MIDLANDS CUP FINAL 2012 Ian Titman LEAGUE WINNERS 2009/10 [email protected] LEAGUE WINNERS 2008/09 TREASURER CUP WINNERS 2004/05, 2006/07 Bill Warfield CUP RUNNERS-UP 2005/06 [email protected] RED CIRCLE CUP 1998/99 DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Mark Lavery DirectorOfRugby@ ampthillrufc.com

Ampthill & District Community Rugby Club, Dillingham Park, Woburn Street, Ampthill, Beds, MK45 2HX Email [email protected] Louis Grimoldby strikes the winning penalty last time Telephone 01525 403303 out at Dillingham Park versus Coventry. www.ampthillrufc.com Picture, Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography

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TODAY’S OPPONENTS

Doncaster Knights Rugby Club The rise to National League One, from amateur status led to the rebranding of Doncaster RFC to Doncaster Knights for the 2006–07 season, and that season saw their highest placed finish to date under Clive Griffiths as Director of Rugby. Doncaster also won the Yorkshire Cup. After the departure of Griffiths to Worcester, the current DOR Lynn Howells joined the club on the eve of the 2007–08 season. Justin Bishop, signed from London Irish, had acted as DOR during the pre-season. Howells inspired the Knights to almost repeat the 3rd-place finish in his first season in charge and has moulded the squad in his own image for the 2008–09 season. 9 January saw the opening of the new De Mulder-Lloyd Stand at Castle park, a £3m state of the art 1650 seater stand. Driven by CEO James Criddle and funded by Tony De Mulder and Steve Lloyd this has seen Castle Park develop into undoubtedly the best rugby facility in South Yorkshire.

The home of the Knights, Castle Park, featured in and won “4 Weddings” and also hosted the Northern BBC TV news coverage for Remembrance Day during 2009 showing how for the operational side of the club has come supporting the on the pitch success. The 2009–10 season saw the squad decimated by injuries, with no fewer than 15 unavailable players at one stage from a squad of 32. Despite this, and an inhuman 9 games in 27 days (of which they won 8) the Knights managed the Semi Final of the British and Irish Cup and a promotion Play Off finish. The result of the season being the defeat of Bristol at Castle Park, who like Leeds Carnegie before them underestimated the Knights as home.

6 The 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons were very average seasons with the Knights managing mid table status and avoiding the relegation playoffs with a reduction in playing budget meaning a shuffling of the pack which saw several long serving players move on to other clubs. The captures of the likes of Tristan Roberts and Paul Devlin hinted at a more creative side than the powerhouse forward game Doncaster are known for traditionally.

The 2012–13 season saw the Knights have a disappointing season with only three wins and a draw out of twenty two league matches and two wins from six in the British and Irish Cup competition which resulted in relegation (for the first time in Doncaster history) back to National League 1. One of the few highlights being a win over local rivals Leeds Carnegie 23 – 17 in February 2013.

For the 2013–14 season DOR Clive Griffiths signed a variety of new and returning players including Mat Clark, Paul Jarvis, Bevon Armitage, Roberto Santamaria and Bruno Bravo who would all feature as regulars in the coming season. The season looked to begin badly for the Knights as they were once again plagued by injuries particularly in the forwards but still with an intention to be the first team to secure promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. The Knights started strongly recording seven straight wins before losing away to Henley Hawks 11–10 [1] in a close fought game. The Knights campaign continued strongly at home although with away losses to Blaydon and Wharfedale they could not fully pull away from the following pack. With further signings during the year, such as former British Lion Darren Morris,[2] London Irish back row Danny Kenny,[3] Argentinian- Italian prop Santiago Sodini[4] and the return of former Knight Richard List from RC Narbonne[5] to bolster the injury prone team, the Knights continued to be the team to beat having been top of the table for the majority of the season.

In late March 2014 with only four games left to play of the season there were only two teams (Rosslyn Park & the Knights) left with the potential to win the league and with them due to meet on 29 March many thought this could be the most important match of the season. The game resulted in a win for Rosslyn Park and meant the Knights would need to win all three of their remaining matches to guarantee promotion. With a win over Wharfedale (57–17) at home to secure a 100% home win record for the season followed by away wins against Coventry (17– 18) & Blackheath (20–38) the Knights secured promotion back to the Championship despite having lost one more game than Rosslyn Park (having achieved more bonus points to be three points clear).

During the 2013–14 season Tyson Lewis was the top try scorer for National League 1 with 22 tries and his teammate Mat Clark was equal second on 20 tries. Tyson also achieved Guinness World Record fame for “The fastest time to score a try in a rugby union match”. The try was scored direct from the opening kick- off in 7.24 seconds (Doncaster Knights vs Old Albanians at Wollam Playing Fields, St Albans, UK, on 23 November 2013).

7 Club honours

Doncaster Knights

• Yorkshire Cup winners (4): 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008

• North East 1 Champions: 1993-94

• North Division 2 champions: 1996–97

• North Division 1 champions: 1998–99

• National League 3 North champions: 2001–02

• National League 1 (formerly National Division 2) champions (2): ‘04-’05, ‘13-’14

LAST TIME OUT

Ampthill travelled to Castle Bar on a fine, dry but cold afternoon. The squad saw a total of 11 changes, up front Dave Ward (hooker), Luvuyo Pupuma (tight head) and Henri Williams (lock) rotated to the starting line up as did Sam Hanks (centre) and Darryl Veenendaal (scrum half) in the backs while the bench saw Aleki Lutui (hooker) and Serafin Bordoli rotate, Ben Christie (prop), Rob Langley (flanker), Leon Fukofuka (scrum half) and Kwaku Asiedu (wing) return. On a day ideal for running rugby Ealing produced an outstanding performance scoring 6 tries in the first half and 5 in the second while maintaining a 100% record with the conversions. Ealing were irresistible and by far the best side Amps have played this season based on this display. Trailing 42-7 at half time A’s scored 3 tries in the second to salvage, in the 74th minute , what may turn out to be a crucial four try bonus point having continued to play right to the end. Ampthill head coach Paul Turner commented “We knew if we started badly it would be a long afternoon and that proved the case. All credit to the boys for sticking at it and gaining the four try bonus point. It’s an important week, we must learn our lessons, put this game behind us and bounce back when we face Doncaster next weekend at Dillingham Park.” Ampthill Scorers Tries: Williams (16), Baker (50), Langley (71), Hanks (74) Conversions: Grimoldby (17, 72, 75)

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AMPTHILL & DISTRICT COMMUNITY RUFC 15 Billy Johnson Shay Kerry Robert Langley

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Ampthill vs Richmond Saxons January 19, 2020 in Ampthill 2nd XV, Raging Bull, Home Match

Ampthill 1881’s 52 - 17 Richmond Saxons (3rd XV) 7 trys, fantastic playing surface, a hattrick, playing in the sunshine, it was a good day for the 1881. It nearly turned out so different as on the Saturday morning, the squad was down to 17 players following last minute illness. The Ampthill Jets game was called off at 10am due to a unfit playing surface and by 10:05, the 1881 had called up Ali Gibbs and Ampthill veterans Colin Liddell and Simon Spavins. Spavins now in his fourth decade of senior rugby. Just like last week against Cambridge, 1881 were not playing particularly well, which Richmond pounced upon with line breaks a plenty, particularly from some huge forwards. Richmond opened the scoring on 25 minutes from a rolling maul, but this woke the 1881 up with Chris Diamond getting the scoreboard ticking and Ampthill didn’t lose the lead for the rest of the game.

Rob Hughes, still improving every game following a positional switch from back row to centre, scoring near the posts and Charlie Fleckney touching down from a rolling maul. Liam Everitt kicking all the conversions and knocking over a penalty after Ampthill went through 25 phases of fantastic ball retaining rugby. 24-5 at half time.

Richmond Normans 51 Ampthill Jets 19

Tough day at the office for the Jets against a superior Richmond side who fully deserved an emphatic win. Richmond couldn’t raise a team earlier in the season to play at Dillingham Park but at home, they had a squad of 22. Jets were determined not to cry off a match and we pulled together a 19 man squad and to a man they were superb, never giving up and so nearly grabbing the 4th try at the end for a bonus point.

Ampthill lost more experienced with Will Allman and flyhalf Mikey Waters both off with game ending injuries. A testament not only to the strength in the squad, but in the club as the Ampthill finishers added a new dimension to the team. Fleckney scoring two more trys before the end of the game, Hughes again and Adam Shelly crashing over for a try after Sol Tovey charged down a clearance kick. 18 year old Shelly who has had to be patient for his game time, taking the opportu- nity with both hands with plenty of bravery in the contact area and winning several turn overs. Another 5 league points in the bag and 1881 up to third in the table but with 5 games in hand over Old Elthamians in second place. Final Score Ampthill 1881: 52, Richmond Saxons 17

20 MINI & YOUTH

Five Ampthill U16’S Represent East Midlands

Five of Ampthill U16’S squad represented East Midlands in their fixture at Bedford Ath on Sunday 19TH January. Jody Devine, James Randall, Bayley Richards, Sam Ferrari & Archie Barrett all played their part in East Midlands resounding 50-12 vic- tory against local rivals Buckinghamshire in the January sunshine. All five boys put in excellent performances with Jody Devine scoring two tries & James Randall one as East Midlands ran in 8 tries on the 4G surface. East Midlands played some attractive rugby & were dominant from start to finish.

Congratulations to all the boys for being selected.

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Rugby Football Union. The RFU Rose and the words ‘England Rugby’ are official registered trademarks of the Rugby Football Union and are subject to extensive trademark registration worldwide. SAFETY FIRST

All spectators should note that in the unlikely event of an evacuation becoming necessary stewards will direct them to the correct exit route. Match tickets should be retained in the event of an evacuation should the game be rescheduled for another date.

It should be noted that glasses are not permitted in any part of the ground except in the clubhouse bar, therefore drinks will be served in plastic containers.

No smoking or vaping is permitted in any of the buildings, be they permanent or temporary.

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Rugby Football Union. The RFU Rose and the words ‘England Rugby’ are official registered trademarks of the Rugby Football Union and are subject to extensive trademark registration worldwide. 25 AMPTHILL RUFC

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The Championship Team P W D L F A Diff BP Pts Newcastle Falcons 9 9 0 0 275 95 180 6 42 Cornish Pirates 9 7 0 2 251 113 138 5 33 Ealing Trailfinders 9 6 1 2 307 185 122 4 30 Coventry 9 5 1 3 238 207 31 6 28 Jersey 9 5 0 4 202 202 0 5 25 Ampthill 9 4 1 4 215 276 -61 3 21 London Scottish 9 3 1 5 165 188 -23 6 20 Hartpury College RFC 9 3 0 6 161 163 -2 6 18 Doncaster 9 4 0 5 148 207 -59 1 17 Nottingham 9 3 0 6 156 161 -5 4 16 Bedford 9 3 0 6 158 183 -25 4 16 Yorkshire Carnegie 9 0 0 9 126 422 -296 1 1

Saturday 25th January Ampthill 13:45 Doncaster Hartpury College RFC 14:00 Coventry

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27 TODAY’S TEAMS Ampthill & District RUFC v Doncaster Knights

15 Karim Lynch Cameron Cowell 15 14 Spencer Sutherland Howard Packman 14 13 Jarryd Sage Lloyd Hayes 13 12 Serafin Bordoli Charlie Foley 12 11 Sam Baker Tyson Lewis 11 10 Louis Grimoldby (c) Sam Olver 10 9 Kevin Barrett Tom James 9 1 Soane Tonga’uiha Robin Hislop 1 2 Dave Ward Ben Hunter 2 3 Matt Collins Colin Quigley 3 4 Billy Johnson Morgan Eames 4 5 Henri Williams Matt Challinor 5 6 Jac Arthur Tom Calladine 6 7 Joe Bercis Wian Conradie 7 8 Sam Hudson Ollie Stedman 8 16 Syd Blackmore George Edgson 16 17 Luvuyo Pupuma Andrew Foster 17 18 Aleki Lutui Joe Sproston 18 19 Rob Langley Rory Pitman 19 20 Will Allman Fotu Lokotui 20 21 Leon Fukofuka Sam Pocklington 21 22 Sam Hanks Kyle Evans 22 23 Will Foster Jack Roberts 23 Referee: Greg Macdonald AR1: Jamie Leahy AR2: Richard Waller

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