Blackheath 17 Ampthill 24.

Lack of accuracy, and two crucial errors either side of half time, were the main contributors as Ampthill claimed their first victory over Blackheath in four attempts since their elevation to domestic rugby’s third tier. Despite holding a sizeable advantage in both possession and territory, particularly during a second period played mostly in the visitors’ half of the field, the hosts failed to find the penetration required to break open a resilient opponent.

That said, Ampthill deserve tremendous credit. The Bedfordshire side defended magnificently and took their limited opportunities with the ruthless efficiency befitting a team currently lying second in National League One, and who have now won ten of their last eleven outings.

The first of those chances came in only the sixth minute. Blackheath had gained an almost perfect start as referee Philip Davies awarded a penalty try for a deliberate knock-on after Freddie Owen had gathered Leo Fielding’s chip ahead, but right-wing Jonathan Morgan’s clean take of the re-start enabled his side’s big pack to go through numerous phases, before hooker Marshall Reece grounded the ball against the upright to equalise. A half-hour kicking duel ensued before Fielding nudged Blackheath ahead after Ampthill came in at the side, but as the hosts needlessly infringed with the interval approaching, William Allman was driven across within moments of the back-rower’s arrival from the bench, giving the visitors a 14-10 half-time lead.

The advantage was extended to eleven points in the 44th minute. As Blackheath put the re-start directly into touch, and followed by conceding a penalty at the scrum, Ampthill were again handed field position, and with the Club’s goal-line being pounded once more, the slimmest of gaps eventually emerged for Joe Tarrant to squeeze through, the fly-half adding a third conversion to his own try.

Nevertheless, the gap in excess of a score wasn’t maintained for long. On 52 minutes, Simon Whatling’s majestic cross-field kick was neatly tapped back by Geoff Griffiths for Fielding to collect and race over, and although Tarrant quickly responded with a penalty, the visitors never looked likely to take the game away.

However, despite the hosts’ dominance of the final quarter, ball was lost forward at the crucial moment and the passes never quite fell right, and although a lengthy final play saw Tom Chapman get within five metres and Griffiths in space on the opposite flank, the desperate cover got across to force the full-back into touch and deny Blackheath a chance of a full share of the spoils.

Next Saturday Blackheath travel to Cambridge. Kick-off at Volac Park in Grantchester Road is 2.00 pm. Blackheath.

Tries: Penalty try, Fielding.

Conv: Fielding 2.

Pens: Fielding.

Ampthill.

Tries: Reece, Allman, Tarrant.

Conv: Tarrant 3.

Pens: Tarrant.