WELCOME BACK

There are lots of reasons to look forward to 17th May (not least of all because its my birthday!). We can go inside a pub, invite friends round to dinner, hug our loved ones and GO TO A RUGBY MATCH! The game against Ampthill has even more significance, not just because we need a big win, but because some of our supporters will be lucky enough to be there in person to watch a meaningful game of men’s rugby for the first time in nearly 15 months!

This strangest of seasons is now drawing rapidly to a close with just 3 games remaining – Ampthill and Hartpbury at home and Coventry away. What a pity we haven’t been able to experience the real Championship and visit some of those wonderful rugby clubs who make up the bedrock of this league. To me these are proper rugby clubs. (Of course we still have to win this league and that is not a given so maybe next year….)

It goes without saying that we need a big 5 point win this week (and indeed for the next 2 games). Ampthill, like us, have 3 remaining fixtures and have won 3 of their 7 games this season including a notable away win over Cornish Pirates but losing last time out at home to Jersey Reds. But as with every other team we have faced this season, this is Ampthill’s Cup Final and they will be up for a tilt at the former Champions of Europe.

Ampthill is a real Community club. Rugby was played at Ampthill as far back as 1881 and the club was reformed in 1950 after WW2. During the 70’s & 80’s, the club introduced over 450 US servicemen (stationed at RAF Chicksands) to the game and eventually formed an “extra” team – a name which lives on in the current 3^rd XV. Ampthill were promoted to the Championship for the 2019/20 season. Like many Championship clubs they have really struggled through this COVID winter but were fortunate to receive an anonymous donation of £10,000 to help with COVID testing and allow them to compete this season. Sarries needed the agreement of Ampthill to move the game from Saturday to Monday in order to allow a limited number of spectators. Ampthill Director of Rugby Mark Lavery said

“When the request from Saracens came through to change the date of our fixture so we could get a limited crowd into the StoneX Stadium we were delighted to assist. We have a long-standing relationship with Saracens who have entrusted us to assist in the development of their academy talent, and this has been beneficial to both clubs. This will be the biggest game in Ampthill RUFC history, and it probably won’t happen again in our lifetimes where Saracens play Ampthill in a competitive game, so our young squad is relishing the opportunity to play the 3-times European Champions at the StoneX. The challenge is enormous and that’s only really matched by the honour of participating.”

Among familiar names at Ampthill are former Sarries scrum half Kevin Barrett, former Quins Hooker and player coach Dave Ward, Tom Hudson (on loan from Gloucester), former Saint Will Allman, England U 20’s and former Gloucester lock Charlie Beckett, former Sale Sharks prop James Flynn, and Tongan International hooker Aleki Lutui. The club captain is fly half Louis Grimoldby whose metronomic boot has contributed heavily to Ampthill’s points scoring.

As for Saracens – the whole squad had a week off so everyone should be well rested. Saracens do now have 2 games in 5 days (with the game against Coventry on Saturday) so this will present an intriguing challenge for Mark McCall. I expect the team will be a mixture of International experience and youth but with one eye on Saturday’s potentially stronger opponents. There is also the prospect of the return of Alex Goode after his time in Japan. I am sure he will feature in at least one of the 2 games (although maybe Saturday is more likely?

So we may see something like: Obatoyinbo, Maitland, Morris, Tompkins, Segun, M Vunipola, Davies, Barrington, George, Koch, Kpoku, Hunter-Hill, Wray, Christie, Billy Vunipola (with the likes of Farrell, Mako, Maro and maybe Goode on the bench just in case) – but what do I know!!! 

I think we all expect Sarries to prevail but I am sure no one will be taking anything for granted. We also need to remember that Ealing’s points difference is still 85 better than ours (although they have played a game more) and although I suspect the main focus is on securing a top 2 position, we should still aim to finish on top. Have a wonderful evening all you lucky ones who have tickets. I hope Ampthill enjoy their night out too (but not too much) and Sarries do the necessary. Meanwhile:- “happy birthday to me, happy birthday……..”