The try count was even at 3 apiece so the numerical difference was in the two conversions and penalty added by Ampthill.  The true difference, though, lay in those marginal fine lines present in rugby at all levels where Stags simply did not have the rub of the green.

The afternoon was to an extent overshadowed by an early injury to Ben Strangeways, the victim of a late tackle unpunished by any form of card by a tolerant referee.

Stags started with a storm, Ampthill were rocked back and Devon Brown scored after good work by the whole pack.  For fifteen minutes the visitors didn’t get a sniff but when they finally made it into the Stags twenty two they scored a try and then rapidly added a penalty and a further try.  Stags urgently needed to come back from these blows and did so when Michael Webb intercepted and ran more than half the length of the pitch; a fine effort from a second row forward to outpace the cover.

Fifteen – ten to Ampthill at half time.

Stags were under pressure early in the second period, conceded a converted try and were a little fortunate when Ampthill made a mess of a three to one overlap.

Control of the set scrummage was the basis of Stags’ territorial domination in the final quarter.  The reward, though, was just a single try, a carbon copy of the first.

The bigger but slower Ampthill pack was never quite stretched enough to allow Stags the space to break through.  Too much ball was lost in contact and too many turnovers conceded all of which allowed the visitors to wriggle free time after time. 

Once again a frustrating afternoon for Stags, especially perhaps for coach Damian Whales who has done much excellent work with the squad and is patiently waiting for all the component parts to come together in winning performances.

With nine league and cup games now played one or two statistics are interesting.

Of the hundred and sixteen points scored by Stags, twenty six (six penalties, four conversions) have come from kicks: of the eighteen tries twelve have come from the forwards, six from the backs.

This Saturday Stags make the lengthy trip to Banbury (losers to Wellingborough 37 – 17 last week).

Damo's Man of the Match: Warwick Blamey