MATCH REPORT: TITANS TAKE BONUS-POINT IN AMPTHILL DEFEAT

RAMS Titans fell to a 59-22 Raging Bull Shield Division One defeat at defending champions Ampthill 1881s.

The hosts took a fourth-minute lead after barging over from close range to the right of the posts, Josh Barton with a simple conversion, and they doubled their advantage when he repeated the trick following Sam Asotasi’s 25-metre effort.

Titans got on the scoreboard when hooker Niall Kidd rode over the line at the back of a powerful maul, but the home side responded with a superb individual try from man-of-the-match Zac Nearchou – the loose-head prop breaking a number of tackles to run in from some 30 metres out.

However, Titans grabbed a second score to stay in touch when a nice move involving Rowan Grundy and Aaqil Attah sent the prolific Karl Quartey over on the right to cut the gap to 21-10.

Ampthill, though, reasserted themselves as they produced a brilliant fourth try from inside their own 22, some terrific off-loads ending with Barton touching down out wide.

They moved further in front as Ben Pogson peeled off a maul to crash over from a couple of metres out, Barton on target with the kick, but the visitors had the final word in the first half.

A succession of strong carries took Titans close to the line before Jordan Talia burrowed under the posts with a pick-and-go, Tom Humberstone drop-kicking the conversion with the final play of the opening 40 minutes.

Leading 33-17 at the interval, it was Ampthill who took first blood in the second period, Pogson again the beneficiary of a strong maul from 10 metres out.

Barton landed a testing kick, and the hosts eased further clear as a flowing backs’ move sent Ollie Dawkins down the left, the wing running round to touch down under the posts before the conversion extended the lead to 30 points.

Ampthill past 50 with another fine score, going from their own five-metre line to their opponents before a quick tap penalty was flung wide for a try on the left.

To their credit Titans kept battling away and secured the consolation of a losing bonus-point when Zach Clow’s lovely side-step enabled him to break the defensive line before a strong hand-off saw the full-back finish the job from the Ampthill 22.

It was the hosts who had the final word, though, Barton hoovering up a chip down the middle of the park to dot down under the posts for a try he easily converted.

Titans travel to Richmond Saxons on Saturday (1pm).