MATCH REPORT: ALEX SPARKES TITANS IN AMPTHILL DRAW

ALEX Sparkes bagged a brace, but Rams Titans blew a 10-point lead in the final quarter-of-an-hour of a thrilling 31-31 Raging Bull Shield Division One draw at home to Ampthill 1881s.

The high-flying hosts, who went into the game level at the top-of-the-table with Richmond Vikings, started strongly and grabbed the opener when prop Terrel Harry cut a glorious line to gallop under the posts, Tom Humberstone making no mistake with the extras.

Defending champions Ampthill replied, however, as Joe Adams broke a couple of tackles to run in from just outside the 22, the fly-half slotting the conversion to level matters.

His team then moved in front in somewhat fortunate circumstances, a loose ball in midfield hacked from the halfway line to just short of the whitewash, centre Oscar Wilson eventually coming away with it to dot down before Adams converted.

Titans rallied and got the next score, debutant Bath University fresher Oli Sedgwick enjoying an early 19th birthday present as he showed pace and a finisher’s instinct to leave several would-be defenders trailing in his wake from inside his own half.

Humberstone was unable to add the extras from the right, and the visitors extended their advantage before the break when they burrowed over from close range for a converted try and 21-12.

Sparkes reignited the hosts with the first try of the second half, though, the scrum-half wriggling over following a terrific off-load from Jedd Paine before he was bundled into touch in front of clubhouse corner.

The latter’s fellow young back row, Miki Duda, then created Sparkes’ second with a blistering break down the left, his inside ball sending the No. 9 over for a try added to by Humberstone.

Things got even better shortly afterwards as Paine took a lovely line before bouncing a couple of defenders for a score which gave a bit of breathing space, Humberstone’s kick extending the lead to 31-21.

Ampthill, though, gave themselves a lifeline midway through the final quarter, a powerful five-metre maul moving this way and that before it eventually got the ball down.

The conversion attempt was off target, but the visitors rinsed and repeated the tactic in injury-time, on this occasion an 11-man set-piece helping to bundle the ball down and secure a share of the spoils.

The draw leaves Titans second in the table ahead of a home game with Richmond Saxons on Saturday.