A big win under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ provided some much needed tonic for Craig Hammond’s Nottingham, putting visitors Ampthill to sword, 39-0, in the Greene King IPA Championship.

They didn’t have it all their own way though, despite the score-line, the Lady Bay faithful seeing the visitors, now just four points above the Archers in the table, claiming some good possession in the opening exchanges.

Samuel Hollingsworth and David Williams though, on 12 and 14 minutes respectively, would both come close when kicking through, but neither side broke that early deadlock, even a push for the line by the visitors’ Samson Adejimi after 24 minutes, came to nothing.

It wasn’t until after the half hour had elapsed, that the deadlock was finally broken, Michael Stronge providing the pass for Williams from the ruck, and the number fourteen made for the line, beating the visiting defence to open the scoring, Hollingsworth successfully converting for a 7-0 lead.

Just minutes later and Stronge came close to extending the hosts’ advantage, however, he fell just short of the line, but it was doubled minutes before the interval when Jordan Olowofela keeping the ball in play from an Ampthill kick, and running half the field to cross, Hollingsworth again successful as the Archers went in 14-0 at the interval.

The second started pretty much in the same vein as the first, the visitors causing problems, and in doing so, were awarded a number of penalties during the opening ten of the half, much to the dismay of the hosts.

However, they failed to capitalise on them, unlike Williams who kicked his 100^th point of the season after 56 minutes, the Archers being awarded a penalty of their own following a scramble.

Holding a seventeen point advantage, the hosts smelt blood, further extending their lead, to 24-0, when Williams crossed for his second try of the game, bursting through the opposition defence, Morgan Bunting this time successful with the kick.

The bonus point was awarded with ten minutes left on the clock, Olofowela adding his second when outpacing the defence, Bunting however, missed the first of a trio of kicks which could have made the winning margin that little wider.

Archers captain, Nathan Tweedy, then pushed over in the corner for their fifth try of the evening, with three minutes left and, with the game heading towards the last, there was time for more, substitute Sefa Maloney-Fiaola finished off a lovely, late mover that was started by Williams to put the seal on a 39-0, bonus point win.

Victory for Nottingham saw them pick up their seventh win of the season and, with just Coventry (a, 22 April) and London Scottish (h, 28 April), left to play, will be looking for a top six finish; victory over Ampthill sees the Lady Bay outfit move within four of Ampthill (8) and Hartpury University (7), and five behind Doncaster Knights (6).

NOTTINGHAM STARTING XV – 1 Toby Williams 2 Harry Clayton 3 Xavier Valentine 4 Callum Allen 5 Iosefa Maloney-Fiola 6 Carl Kirwan 7 Nathan Tweedy 8 George Cox 9 Michael Stronge 10 Sam Hollinsworth 11 Ryan Olofowela 12 Javiah Pohe 13 Charlie Thacker 14 David Williams 15 Jordan Olofowela

Afterwards, Archers Head Coach, Craig Hammond, said of the game: “It was a good result for us against a set-piece dominated team.

“They (Ampthill) dusted us at their place (36-24, 25 February), so it was good to get this one back; our defence held well and we shut them down.

“That’s remarkable considering the conditions, especially to get the four tries to see the game out.

“It was also one of our best, defensive efforts, and first shut-out I believe since 2009, although I’m a little disappointed we gave them access at times.”

Now, with just the two games left this season, Hammond looked ahead, briefly, to the season finale, adding: “It’s been a frustrating season, but we’ve picked up some really good performances of late.

“Coventry next, away, they’re in ridiculous form and tend to blow teams away early on so it’s going to be a challenge for us.

“It’s in our hands now though, we’ve a big defensive week ahead, and we’ll continue putting in the work, more as we’ve a fully-fit squad to go with.”

Nottingham travel to Coventry in Greene King IPA Championship on Saturday 22 April, kick-off scheduled for 3pm; you can keep up-to-date with all things Archers via their socials on Facebook and Twitter and via their website here.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NottinghamRugby singing in the rain Nottingham are up to ninth.