Ampthill and District 59 - Caldy 7

THE gap between the top and bottom of National One has not been as evident as it was at Dillingham Park on Saturday as second-placed Ampthill put nine tries including a hat-trick from Syd Blackmore past fourth bottom Caldy in a fantastic display of attacking rugby.

The hosts started the scoring in the opening move of the game pressuring the Caldy 22 from the kick-off, with a good flowing manoeuvre that saw Sam Hudson score in the corner and the signs were ominous and unfortunately that was how it transpired in a tough afternoon for the Wirral side.

Caldy were unable to stop the tide and Ampthill continued to attack and Caldy defended well until the 14th minute when Blackmore scored his first of the afternoon with further tries from Barker and Hanks securing the bonus point for the promotion chasing side before the half time break.

The onslaught continued in the second half with a blitz of five tries in a very impressive 17-minute spell that saw Blackmore complete his hat-trick and a brace of scores from McKirdy.

The gap between the two sides was highlighted when the only time that Caldy were able to trouble the scoreboard was when they were awarded a penalty try on 67 minutes.

The players were visibly tired at the end of the game but will be ready to go again for the fight to stay in National One for a further season.

Caldy are now six points clear of the drop zone with seven games left and their fate remains in their own hands.

They travel to mid table Cinderford this Saturday (March 2) hoping to score the points that will see them move away from the drop zone before the next home match a week on Saturday against another relegation rival Bishop's Stortford.

A picture published with this article yesterday, which has since been removed, had the incorrect byline of being taken by Derek Salisbury. 

It was, in fact, taken by Iain Frankish.