WASPS A v Ampthill

Spring arrived at Twyford Avenue and in their last league match of the season the Wasps team really burst into life. Ampthill kicked off and the ball was fielded by Mark Hughes who ran at the defence closely supported by Jamie Dunbar. In a display of over eagerness however a penalty ensued as Wasps were adjudged to have gone over the top. From the ensuing penalty and line out Ampthill made their presence felt and had not been for a try saving tackle from Yamoto Bando (playing in his last game for the club) they would have been a try up. As it was, Wasps were themselves soon on the attack, a wonderful break by Sam Aslam from a ruck and an offload to Alex Sharpe-Neal led to a try under the posts after 12 mins and an easy conversion for Fergus McWilliams. 7 - 0.

Gus Baker took a wonderful catch from the kick off and managed to turn to present the ball to his fellow forwards to recycle and a great run by Theo Such was unfortunately brought to an end by a simple penalty for holding on. The ball was worked upfield by the opposition and some excellent rucking from Ampthill led to a period of sustained pressure on the Wasps team. A succession of penalties and powerful scrummaging by the away team eventually resulted in a try after 22 minutes. This was not converted and the half time score was 7 - 5 to Wasps. This had been a very even half and certainly those of us from the home team on the touch line knew we were in for a battle.

A good half time chat and some tactical changes however put those fears to rest and Wasps were soon in charge after the break as Mark Hughes put himself on the score sheet after 2 minutes. Powerful running and recycling from all of the forwards helped Mark to drive over the line. Fergus again converted and Wasps sensed a victory. Ampthill ran at the home team hard but after another good break by Theo up the left the ball was passed out to Yamoto who with his exceptional pace was able to round the opposition and score. 9 minutes of the second half gone, another successful conversion and Wasps were 19 - 5 up.

The next 10 minutes were somewhat of a chess game as both sides competed hard, some excellent tackling including a try saver from Yamoto, by both sides kept the possession even but Ampthills spirits were dented when Mark Hughes scored again, breaking away from a maul and through the opposing forwards. Fergus certainly had his kicking boots on and finished this score off by putting another conversion over to make it Wasps 28 and Ampthill 5. Fergus was on the end of a great run by James Pye and managed to "dot" down himself a few minutes later to make it 33 - 5. This time he missed the conversion. With only a few minutes left on the clock and with Wasps maintaining their dominance it was left to our outstanding Japanese player and man of the match - Yamoto to have the final word as he showed yet another blistering turn of pace to score under the posts. Fergus converted to make the final score 40 - 5.

The team presented Yamoto with a few pieces of Wasps memorabilia to take back to Japan where we know he will continue his rugby career - we wish him well and we will certainly miss his exceptionally talented rugby skills, delightful personality and positive play. Good luck Yamoto.

Marcus