Old Whitgiftian 27 Old Amplefordians 14

Old Whitgiftian came from behind in the second half to run out 27-14 winners over Old Amplefordians in an open match on Saturday.

Amplefordians started with the slope advantage and it took 25 minutes for the hosts to get on the scoresheet - captain James Schad beating his man on the outside to score in the corner, writes Mike Irwin.

As so often happens following a score, OWs relaxed and missed a couple of tackles, allowing the visitors' Richard Howes to nip in under the posts and convert his own try.

OWs then woke up, with an offside allowing Gordon Coletta to kick them back in front 8-7 at the break.

With the slope in their favour, Whitgiftians looked like taking control but were sting by a try from Robert Costelloe, who took advantage of a break from a scrum to run in under the posts unopposed.

But the introduction of Carl Adkin as a scrum-half substitution turned the tied OWs' way.

He seized on a losse ball and made a half break, Quintin Keanie came in from the wing and Barret Bloxham was in support to cross in the corner.

OWs scored again when, from a ruck in the Amplefordians 22, John Moffat broke clear to give Jon Mount the scoring pass.

With only seconds left, victory was made certain following another Adkin dash and this time Mike Grant completed the mission, Coletta adding a conversion from the touchline.

Whitgiftian coach Vince Maclean praised his players for maintaining their discipline and keeping cool heads when they were behind on points.