1st Team Fixtures, Results & Match Reports 2015.
Fixtures & Results
Date Fixture
Pre Season Friendlies
12.04.15 Cents -v- Beckenham Bears. (2.30pm kick off)
15.04.15 Hemel Stags 'A' -v- Cents (Evening kick off, 7.30pm)
26.04.15 Cents -v- RAF RL (Sunday, 2pm kick off)
MAY
02.05.15 East Rugby League 9's Comp - The Bash On The Beach @ Southend Spartans
09.05.15 North Herts Crusaders 46 -v- 22 Cents
16.05.15 Cents 18 -v- 0 Breckland Spartans
23.05.15 Cents 28 -v- 30 St Ives Roosters
30.05.15 Cents - 40 -v- 28 North Herts Crusaders. The East Cup - Quarter Finals.
JUNE
06.06.15 Bedford Tigers 42 -v- 32 Cents
13.06.15 Kings Lynn BK 30 -v- 30 Cents
20.06.15 Kings Lynn BK 34 -v- 30 Cents.(Golden Point) The East Cup - Semi Finals
27.06.15 Mid Season League Break & 'Brighton Beer' 9's RL Festival
JULY
04.07.15 Cents 56 -v- 18 NH Crusaders
11.07.15 The East Cup Final
18.07.15 Breckland Spartans 16 -v- 72 Cents
25.07.15 St Ives Roosters 32 -v- 52 Cents
29.07.15 Cents -v- British Army RL (Friendly - Wednesday)
AUGUST
01.08.15 Cents 36 v- 47 Bedford Tigers
08.08.15 Cents 18 -v- 0 Kings Lynn BK
15.08.15 Play Off Semi Final (St Ives Roosters 46 -v- 40 St Albans Centurions)
22.08.15 East RL Grand Final
Date Fixture
Pre Season Friendlies
12.04.15 Cents -v- Beckenham Bears. (2.30pm kick off)
15.04.15 Hemel Stags 'A' -v- Cents (Evening kick off, 7.30pm)
26.04.15 Cents -v- RAF RL (Sunday, 2pm kick off)
MAY
02.05.15 East Rugby League 9's Comp - The Bash On The Beach @ Southend Spartans
09.05.15 North Herts Crusaders 46 -v- 22 Cents
16.05.15 Cents 18 -v- 0 Breckland Spartans
23.05.15 Cents 28 -v- 30 St Ives Roosters
30.05.15 Cents - 40 -v- 28 North Herts Crusaders. The East Cup - Quarter Finals.
JUNE
06.06.15 Bedford Tigers 42 -v- 32 Cents
13.06.15 Kings Lynn BK 30 -v- 30 Cents
20.06.15 Kings Lynn BK 34 -v- 30 Cents.(Golden Point) The East Cup - Semi Finals
27.06.15 Mid Season League Break & 'Brighton Beer' 9's RL Festival
JULY
04.07.15 Cents 56 -v- 18 NH Crusaders
11.07.15 The East Cup Final
18.07.15 Breckland Spartans 16 -v- 72 Cents
25.07.15 St Ives Roosters 32 -v- 52 Cents
29.07.15 Cents -v- British Army RL (Friendly - Wednesday)
AUGUST
01.08.15 Cents 36 v- 47 Bedford Tigers
08.08.15 Cents 18 -v- 0 Kings Lynn BK
15.08.15 Play Off Semi Final (St Ives Roosters 46 -v- 40 St Albans Centurions)
22.08.15 East RL Grand Final
Match Reports
East RL Semi Final Play Offs
St Ives Roosters 46 - 40 St Albans Centurions
In the last game of their season, St Albans Centurions
dominated the second half of the game, but could not make up for the horrendous
first fifteen minutes when current
champions St Ives ran in four converted tries to take a 24 nil lead. For the rest of the game the Roosters only
scored three more converted tries and kicked two penalties whilst the Cents ran
in eight tries and converted four of them.
Last time the Cents played St Ives in the league, they won 52 to 32, but
they knew that, going into this game missing seven first team players due to
holiday commitments, it was going to be
a tough game. After the initial set back
of tries, Tom Sweeney, playing his first ever game of rugby league, scored out
wide for St Albans as they began their fightback. Five minutes later, Phil Shire crossed the
line for the Cents and Sweeney converted from the touchline to make the score
24 – 10. Right from the kick off, the Cents
went to sleep again and poor defence let St Ives score a converted try. St Albans were in the attack again and this
time one of Cents most hard working
forwards, Simba Mupamhanga crashed over
the line to score a fine try that Tim Rangihuna converted. Within five minutes Cents were on the score
sheet again when Josh Lawrence burst through three tacklers to score under the
posts, unfortunately Rangihuna sliced the ball and missed the conversion. In the last five minutes, Centurions made a
basic mistake of not playing to the referees
whistle when the home team scored.
A Roosters player dropped the ball and picked it up, the Cents all stopped, waiting for the refs
whistle for a knock on, but that never came and the St Ives player ran over the
line and scored. The Roosters then
kicked a penalty at the first half ended with the half time score thirty-eight
points to twenty.
Even though the second half began with the Roosters scoring their last try of the game, the visitors from St Albans began to slowly dominate the second half with tries by Joe Shaw, Mick Hollister, Tim Rangihuna and a second from Tim Sweeney, making the scores 44 – 40. Shaw, Sweeney, and Shire all crossed the try line but good St Ives defending stopped them from grounding the ball. Unfortunately, as St Albans began to catch up to the home team, the game began to get physical. First Tim Rangihuna was taken out off the ball and had to receive treatment, then as Cents forward Chris Davies crossed the line, but was held up, he received injuries around his eye that meant he had to go to hospital for treatment. Later on, Cents Josh Lawrence was tackled, and as he stood up, was punched in the face by an opposition player. A fracas then ensued with players from both sides becoming involved. When the referee sorted it out, two St Ives players and two Cents players, Mick Hollister and Andy Hogg, were all shown red cards. The last ten minutes was eleven players against eleven, and both teams threw the ball around trying to look for gaps in the others defence. Unfortunately for the visitors, in the last few minutes, St Ives were awarded a penalty and took the two points making the final score forty six to forty.
Coach Andy Lake said “So near and yet so far. The bad thig is we lost this game in the first fifteen minutes. The good thing was we did not roll over and give up, but fought back and won the second half, but it was not enough.”
Even though the second half began with the Roosters scoring their last try of the game, the visitors from St Albans began to slowly dominate the second half with tries by Joe Shaw, Mick Hollister, Tim Rangihuna and a second from Tim Sweeney, making the scores 44 – 40. Shaw, Sweeney, and Shire all crossed the try line but good St Ives defending stopped them from grounding the ball. Unfortunately, as St Albans began to catch up to the home team, the game began to get physical. First Tim Rangihuna was taken out off the ball and had to receive treatment, then as Cents forward Chris Davies crossed the line, but was held up, he received injuries around his eye that meant he had to go to hospital for treatment. Later on, Cents Josh Lawrence was tackled, and as he stood up, was punched in the face by an opposition player. A fracas then ensued with players from both sides becoming involved. When the referee sorted it out, two St Ives players and two Cents players, Mick Hollister and Andy Hogg, were all shown red cards. The last ten minutes was eleven players against eleven, and both teams threw the ball around trying to look for gaps in the others defence. Unfortunately for the visitors, in the last few minutes, St Ives were awarded a penalty and took the two points making the final score forty six to forty.
Coach Andy Lake said “So near and yet so far. The bad thig is we lost this game in the first fifteen minutes. The good thing was we did not roll over and give up, but fought back and won the second half, but it was not enough.”
St Albans Centurions 36 -v- 47 Bedford Tigers
The heroic efforts against the British Army Rugby League team midweek took its toll on the Centurions as they were beaten in the league by Bedford Tigers.
The Cents welcomed the Army to Toulmin Drive last Wednesday and held their own against the armed forces’ team in a 32-16 loss. They paid the price on Saturday, though, running out of energy and ideas in the last quarter against the table-topping Tigers. The verve and passion of the past few weeks were there for all to see as the Centurions again made a mockery of league positions to run in five first-half tries to Bedford’s two.
The first came from the irrepressible Miles Costello, latching on to a long pass from Tim Rangihuna. The Kiwi then followed up his own kick to extend the home team’s lead before Joe Shaw smashed over the line from a penalty tap.
Scott Bellamy capped another barnstorming performance full of energy and aggression with a well-deserved try. Fellow newcomer Liam Kelly then underlined his importance to the side with a powerful run, including a devastating side-step, ending in an exquisite off-load to send Rangihuna in for his second try.
The Tigers responded with two early second-half tries, but the Centurions weren’t yet finished and replied in style. First, Costello scored in the corner from another Ranguhina assist, before setting up Shaw for the Centurions’ seventh try with a deft back-handed off-load.
A fourth conversion from Gareth Walters left the Centurions sitting pretty at 34-22. But then the wheels came off.
The midweek exertions took their toll on an already depleted squad and Bedford exploited the situation mercilessly. Four converted tries and a drop goal later, the final whistle sounded on a remarkable Tigers comeback.
Chairman Brian Parker said: “Every one of the lads gave everything they had today, just as they had on Wednesday evening. The skill and the heart were there for all to see, but once they ran out of gas in the last quarter, the result was inevitable."
The Cents welcomed the Army to Toulmin Drive last Wednesday and held their own against the armed forces’ team in a 32-16 loss. They paid the price on Saturday, though, running out of energy and ideas in the last quarter against the table-topping Tigers. The verve and passion of the past few weeks were there for all to see as the Centurions again made a mockery of league positions to run in five first-half tries to Bedford’s two.
The first came from the irrepressible Miles Costello, latching on to a long pass from Tim Rangihuna. The Kiwi then followed up his own kick to extend the home team’s lead before Joe Shaw smashed over the line from a penalty tap.
Scott Bellamy capped another barnstorming performance full of energy and aggression with a well-deserved try. Fellow newcomer Liam Kelly then underlined his importance to the side with a powerful run, including a devastating side-step, ending in an exquisite off-load to send Rangihuna in for his second try.
The Tigers responded with two early second-half tries, but the Centurions weren’t yet finished and replied in style. First, Costello scored in the corner from another Ranguhina assist, before setting up Shaw for the Centurions’ seventh try with a deft back-handed off-load.
A fourth conversion from Gareth Walters left the Centurions sitting pretty at 34-22. But then the wheels came off.
The midweek exertions took their toll on an already depleted squad and Bedford exploited the situation mercilessly. Four converted tries and a drop goal later, the final whistle sounded on a remarkable Tigers comeback.
Chairman Brian Parker said: “Every one of the lads gave everything they had today, just as they had on Wednesday evening. The skill and the heart were there for all to see, but once they ran out of gas in the last quarter, the result was inevitable."
St Albans Centurions 16 -v- 32 British Army RL Team
St Albans Centurions played host to the British Army Rugby League team on Wednesday, in what is now becoming a regular event in our calendar. The Army are preparing for the Inter Services Rugby League Tournament that starts next month, so they like to get a couple of 'hard' friendly games under their belt in preparation, and Cents are always first on their list. Before the game, both team captains were introduced to the Mayor of St Albans, Salih Gaygusuz and a representative of Cents sponsors, Stowe Family Law, Clare McParland.
It looked like it was going to be a one sided game, in the Army's favour, when they ran in three tries in the first ten minutes. However, the Centurions struck back on the fifteen minute mark when Josh Lawrence and Sam Norris put on a move that drew Army players to them, which allowed Tim Rangihuna to sprint 45 yards to score. Gareth Walters converted. The game then became a midfield tussle with both sets of players attacking and defending in the central area. Unfortunately for the Cents the fitness of the Army players showed, as they ran in two more tries in the last five minutes of the game, making the score 6 - 28 at half time.
Any spectators who expected the visitors to go romping into the lead in the second half were to be disappointed, as a revitalised St Albans team not only held, but pushed the Army back onto its own 20 meter area and held them there for three sets of six, before Josh Lawrence powered his way through the defensive line and scored. Once again Walters converted. It looked as though Cents were in the ascendancy when first captain Chris Davis crossed the line for a disallowed try, then Joe Shaw dived over the try line but was prevented from downing the ball. The game was end to end stuff that was really enjoyed by the spectators, and ten minutes from full time Cents Jamie Street sped down the wing, shrugged of two tackles and scored an unconverted try out wide, making it 16 - 28. In the dying minutes of the match the Army made sure of their victory with the last try of the game.
After the game, both teams and supporters retired to the Cents clubhouse for a meal and refreshments, where the Army coaches were very free with their praise of St Albans, saying "St Albans won the second half, your defence was outstanding, I counted five sets of six where you kept us in our own 40 meter area, it takes a good team to do that to our boys." We were also told "Centurions are one of the best amateur teams we have played for a long time. You won the second half by never giving up and the amount of pressure you put on us. Well done the Cents."
It looked like it was going to be a one sided game, in the Army's favour, when they ran in three tries in the first ten minutes. However, the Centurions struck back on the fifteen minute mark when Josh Lawrence and Sam Norris put on a move that drew Army players to them, which allowed Tim Rangihuna to sprint 45 yards to score. Gareth Walters converted. The game then became a midfield tussle with both sets of players attacking and defending in the central area. Unfortunately for the Cents the fitness of the Army players showed, as they ran in two more tries in the last five minutes of the game, making the score 6 - 28 at half time.
Any spectators who expected the visitors to go romping into the lead in the second half were to be disappointed, as a revitalised St Albans team not only held, but pushed the Army back onto its own 20 meter area and held them there for three sets of six, before Josh Lawrence powered his way through the defensive line and scored. Once again Walters converted. It looked as though Cents were in the ascendancy when first captain Chris Davis crossed the line for a disallowed try, then Joe Shaw dived over the try line but was prevented from downing the ball. The game was end to end stuff that was really enjoyed by the spectators, and ten minutes from full time Cents Jamie Street sped down the wing, shrugged of two tackles and scored an unconverted try out wide, making it 16 - 28. In the dying minutes of the match the Army made sure of their victory with the last try of the game.
After the game, both teams and supporters retired to the Cents clubhouse for a meal and refreshments, where the Army coaches were very free with their praise of St Albans, saying "St Albans won the second half, your defence was outstanding, I counted five sets of six where you kept us in our own 40 meter area, it takes a good team to do that to our boys." We were also told "Centurions are one of the best amateur teams we have played for a long time. You won the second half by never giving up and the amount of pressure you put on us. Well done the Cents."
St Ives Roosters 32 -v- 52 St Albans Centurions
The most assured team performance of the season so far, underlined the turnaround in the fortunes of St Albans Centurions.
The inconsistency and sloppiness that had marked earlier run-outs this year were a distant memory as a virtually error-free show toppled the league leaders in their own backyard. From the first whistle, the Centurions tore into St Ives. In tackle after crunching tackle, the Roosters were driven backwards, given no room to manoeuvre and forced into error. Offensively, the Centurions were equally dominant, seeing out their sets, making hard yards and breaking through. This ruthless efficiency was typified by Myles Costello’s breath-taking charge to breach the home team’s formidable defensive line and register the game’s first try.
A try from St Ives against the run-of-play, merely inspired the visitors to raise their game even higher. Slick-hands and clever running lines allowed Nick Woolley to score a cracking try in front of a very appreciative audience; whilst Gareth Walters exploited defensive hesitation, from a kick-on-the-last, to score under the posts. Walter’s try separated two Tim Rangihuna, one of which was a hamstring-testing sprint from a scrum 20 metres from the Cents’ own try line.
With Ryan Shorter smashing his opposite number for fun, Kieran O’Shea tormenting the home team all over the pitch and Simba Mupamhanga pulling the strings from hooker, the only surprise was that the Centurions lead at half time was restricted to14-30
Their pride clearly stung, the Roosters came out fighting, literally. Rangihuna was soon cooling his heels in the sin bin after diving in to help Chris Davies who, face down after a tackle, was being rabbit punched by one of the Cambridgeshire team. If the home team’s tactics were to put the Centurions off their stride, it backfired as first Scott Clewlow and then Davies used their brains as well as their brawn to cross the line for two more tries. Despite the gulf in class, when Roosters scored again there was a sense that the momentum might be about to shift. Josh Lawrence had other ideas. Where others might have seen good defensive cover in front of them, 30 metres out, he just saw another wall to break through. Seconds later, whilst two strapping St Ives forwards were still picking themselves up off the ground, Lawrence was calmly placing the ball down over the line.
The scoring for St Albans ended as it started with another phenomenal solo effort from Costello and a Walters’ conversion, his eighth of the match. A late flurry of home tries – piggy-backed on a string of penalty calls - added some respectability for St Ives, and produced a final scoreline of 32-52.
Finally, a mention must go to the flawless performance of seasoned campaigner Darren Westhead: he may be no spring chicken, but he had those Roosters on toast.
Coach, Andy Lake, was delighted at the result but even more so by the performance. “The players’ knew themselves that they had yet to hit the heights. The first half of this game demonstrated what can be achieved with the right focus and teamwork. Completed sets win games and, today, we completed them in style.”
Chairman, Brian Parker said he is now very excited about the prospects for the rest of the season. “The team has clearly turned a corner in the past few weeks, and now we’re in a play-off position we must keep that momentum going all the way. Centurions have a long history of winning silverware: performances like today will bring those days back.”
The inconsistency and sloppiness that had marked earlier run-outs this year were a distant memory as a virtually error-free show toppled the league leaders in their own backyard. From the first whistle, the Centurions tore into St Ives. In tackle after crunching tackle, the Roosters were driven backwards, given no room to manoeuvre and forced into error. Offensively, the Centurions were equally dominant, seeing out their sets, making hard yards and breaking through. This ruthless efficiency was typified by Myles Costello’s breath-taking charge to breach the home team’s formidable defensive line and register the game’s first try.
A try from St Ives against the run-of-play, merely inspired the visitors to raise their game even higher. Slick-hands and clever running lines allowed Nick Woolley to score a cracking try in front of a very appreciative audience; whilst Gareth Walters exploited defensive hesitation, from a kick-on-the-last, to score under the posts. Walter’s try separated two Tim Rangihuna, one of which was a hamstring-testing sprint from a scrum 20 metres from the Cents’ own try line.
With Ryan Shorter smashing his opposite number for fun, Kieran O’Shea tormenting the home team all over the pitch and Simba Mupamhanga pulling the strings from hooker, the only surprise was that the Centurions lead at half time was restricted to14-30
Their pride clearly stung, the Roosters came out fighting, literally. Rangihuna was soon cooling his heels in the sin bin after diving in to help Chris Davies who, face down after a tackle, was being rabbit punched by one of the Cambridgeshire team. If the home team’s tactics were to put the Centurions off their stride, it backfired as first Scott Clewlow and then Davies used their brains as well as their brawn to cross the line for two more tries. Despite the gulf in class, when Roosters scored again there was a sense that the momentum might be about to shift. Josh Lawrence had other ideas. Where others might have seen good defensive cover in front of them, 30 metres out, he just saw another wall to break through. Seconds later, whilst two strapping St Ives forwards were still picking themselves up off the ground, Lawrence was calmly placing the ball down over the line.
The scoring for St Albans ended as it started with another phenomenal solo effort from Costello and a Walters’ conversion, his eighth of the match. A late flurry of home tries – piggy-backed on a string of penalty calls - added some respectability for St Ives, and produced a final scoreline of 32-52.
Finally, a mention must go to the flawless performance of seasoned campaigner Darren Westhead: he may be no spring chicken, but he had those Roosters on toast.
Coach, Andy Lake, was delighted at the result but even more so by the performance. “The players’ knew themselves that they had yet to hit the heights. The first half of this game demonstrated what can be achieved with the right focus and teamwork. Completed sets win games and, today, we completed them in style.”
Chairman, Brian Parker said he is now very excited about the prospects for the rest of the season. “The team has clearly turned a corner in the past few weeks, and now we’re in a play-off position we must keep that momentum going all the way. Centurions have a long history of winning silverware: performances like today will bring those days back.”
Breckland Spartans 16 -v- 72 St Albans Centurions
The senior Cents team travelled the furthest on Saturday but
scored the most points with their seventy two points to sixteen victory over
league new boys Breckland Spartans from Thetford. The Spartans only joined the competitive
leagues this season and straight away you could see the difference between the
well drilled and seasoned side like the Cents and a team that was still feeling
its feet and getting their players used to playing with each other. Tries came thick and fast throughout the game
for the Centurions and as they scored, their confidence grew, which in turn led
to more tries. The visitors did not have it all their own
way, as the Spartans scored three tries in reply to their thirteen. Coach Andy Lake said “It was good to have a game
where we were in almost complete charge.
This allowed us to try out moves and set plays in a competitive
atmosphere. We had a few players from
the development team in the squad and they fitted in very well. Next week we will be playing top of the
league St Ives Roosters, who only beat us by two points early on this season,
so this victory has certainly given the team a lift for going into the next
game.”
St Albans Centurions 56 -v- 18 North Herts Crusaders
St Albans
Centurions gained revenge on the team that beat them in their first league game
in the East Rugby League back in May.
Coach Andy Lake, who has had formidable problems to overcome with
availability of players due to injuries was clearly delighted when he said “
This is what we can do when we put our strongest team out. We did not let North Herts get a look in. It
was back to basics, playing fast, hard rugby with a good defence and when we
attacked, we backed each other up.”
Playing in four twenty minute quarters because of the heat, it only took Cents scrum half Kieran O’Shea one minute to score the first touchdown, when after four good drives downfield, he scootedtowards the line and scored an unconverted try out wide. The visitors from Hitchin soon let the Cents know that they were not put off by the early score when three minutes later they scored a converted try and took the lead by four points to six. Sam Bucknall, who has been playing brilliant rugby league this season got the lead back for St Albans as he brushed aside two defenders and scored under the posts. Standoff Nick Woolley kicked the conversion. Bucknall must have got a taste for points, as five minutes later he again charged through the centre of the Crusaders defence, and although tackled on the line, he got the ball down between the posts. Woolley again converted. With just a few minutes to go to the end of the quarter, the ever reliable Joe Shaw was on the end of a good long pass from captain Andy Hogg, and Shaw made the score 20 points to six. Unfortunately the conversion hit the upright.
At the start of the second quarter, Lake introduced the Cents latest signing, Scott Bellamy to the game. Straight away, you could see the difference this experienced rugby league player made with his crashing runs and fierce tackling. Within two minutes of the start, Bellamy and Cents captain Andy Hogg combined to see Hogg score a great try under the posts. Woolley again converted. Not for the first time this season has Sam Bucknall scored three tries in a game, and he did it again with a powerful run down left centre field to score his third try of the match which was again converted. In the final few minutes of the game Cents forward Chris Davies was sin binned for ten minutes for a professional foul on an opposition player, and the Crusaders took this opportunity to score their second converted try. At half time Cents were leading 32 points to 12.
Still a man short at the start of the second half, a great 50 yard try was next from the home team. Sam Bucknall broke the visitors defensive line, passed to Joe Shaw who broke through two tackles and passed to Miles Costello who could not be caught as he touched down in the far corner. The conversion was missed. With Davies returning, the Cents were proving unstoppable. Forward Mike Hollister ran for forty yards, bursting through tackles before slipping the ball to support player Shaw who ran the ball in to score an unconverted try. Almost as if watching a reply of the second quarter, Cents Chris Davies was again sin binned for a high tackle with only minutes to go to the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Cents, a small lapse in concentration cost them dearly when a dropped ball was picked up by the Hitchin team and run in for a converted try. At the end of the third quarter it was 40 points to 18 to the St Albans team.
Although a man short for the first seven minutes of the last quarter, it was all St Albans as time and again the attacked the North Herts line. Several times players were tackled just short of the Crusaders try line, and eventually the defence gave way as Scott Bellamy sprinted over to score his first try for the club. Woolley converted. Five minutes later, Kieran O’Shea again got on the score sheet with a fifteen yards run, and bursting through two tackles before scoring another converted try. The Centurions had their third yellow card of the day when Bellamy made it a hat trick of firsts first appearance, first try and then first yellow card, for a high tackle. Even with a man down and the pitch side thermometer showing in the high eighties, the Centurions tails were up and this showed in the last five minutes of the game when Miles Costello scored his second try of the match after a move that saw five different players handle and pass the ball. The game ended with a 56 points to 18 win to the Centurions.
Centurions chair Brian Parker said after the game “We have had terrible luck with injuries and unavailability. All season we have been waiting to put out a full, strong squad and this shows what happens when we did. On this showing we could beat any team in our league.”
Playing in four twenty minute quarters because of the heat, it only took Cents scrum half Kieran O’Shea one minute to score the first touchdown, when after four good drives downfield, he scootedtowards the line and scored an unconverted try out wide. The visitors from Hitchin soon let the Cents know that they were not put off by the early score when three minutes later they scored a converted try and took the lead by four points to six. Sam Bucknall, who has been playing brilliant rugby league this season got the lead back for St Albans as he brushed aside two defenders and scored under the posts. Standoff Nick Woolley kicked the conversion. Bucknall must have got a taste for points, as five minutes later he again charged through the centre of the Crusaders defence, and although tackled on the line, he got the ball down between the posts. Woolley again converted. With just a few minutes to go to the end of the quarter, the ever reliable Joe Shaw was on the end of a good long pass from captain Andy Hogg, and Shaw made the score 20 points to six. Unfortunately the conversion hit the upright.
At the start of the second quarter, Lake introduced the Cents latest signing, Scott Bellamy to the game. Straight away, you could see the difference this experienced rugby league player made with his crashing runs and fierce tackling. Within two minutes of the start, Bellamy and Cents captain Andy Hogg combined to see Hogg score a great try under the posts. Woolley again converted. Not for the first time this season has Sam Bucknall scored three tries in a game, and he did it again with a powerful run down left centre field to score his third try of the match which was again converted. In the final few minutes of the game Cents forward Chris Davies was sin binned for ten minutes for a professional foul on an opposition player, and the Crusaders took this opportunity to score their second converted try. At half time Cents were leading 32 points to 12.
Still a man short at the start of the second half, a great 50 yard try was next from the home team. Sam Bucknall broke the visitors defensive line, passed to Joe Shaw who broke through two tackles and passed to Miles Costello who could not be caught as he touched down in the far corner. The conversion was missed. With Davies returning, the Cents were proving unstoppable. Forward Mike Hollister ran for forty yards, bursting through tackles before slipping the ball to support player Shaw who ran the ball in to score an unconverted try. Almost as if watching a reply of the second quarter, Cents Chris Davies was again sin binned for a high tackle with only minutes to go to the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Cents, a small lapse in concentration cost them dearly when a dropped ball was picked up by the Hitchin team and run in for a converted try. At the end of the third quarter it was 40 points to 18 to the St Albans team.
Although a man short for the first seven minutes of the last quarter, it was all St Albans as time and again the attacked the North Herts line. Several times players were tackled just short of the Crusaders try line, and eventually the defence gave way as Scott Bellamy sprinted over to score his first try for the club. Woolley converted. Five minutes later, Kieran O’Shea again got on the score sheet with a fifteen yards run, and bursting through two tackles before scoring another converted try. The Centurions had their third yellow card of the day when Bellamy made it a hat trick of firsts first appearance, first try and then first yellow card, for a high tackle. Even with a man down and the pitch side thermometer showing in the high eighties, the Centurions tails were up and this showed in the last five minutes of the game when Miles Costello scored his second try of the match after a move that saw five different players handle and pass the ball. The game ended with a 56 points to 18 win to the Centurions.
Centurions chair Brian Parker said after the game “We have had terrible luck with injuries and unavailability. All season we have been waiting to put out a full, strong squad and this shows what happens when we did. On this showing we could beat any team in our league.”
Kings Lynn Black Knights 30 -v- 30 St Albans Centurions
The Cents made their longest journey of the season when they travelled to Kings Lynn in Norfolk to play the Black Knights. With a number of first teamers missing due to injury, several players stepped up to the mark from the development squad and the team put in a great performance against a club that boasts a squad of sixty players, has one of the few female managers in amateur rugby league and only lost one game this season.
The Centurions received the ball from the kick off and drove it down field, unfortunately one of their last passes in the set was intercepted and a Knights player scampered down field to score a try, although he was chased out wide by Cents winger Kieran O'Shea and this prevented the conversion. Cents kicked off and for the next five minutes kept the Kings Lynn team in their own quarter of the field, before Cents Tim Rangihuna, returning from injury, slipped a pass to Sam Bucknall who scored the first of his hat trick of tries. Kings Lynn were the next to score, when the ball was reefed out of a Centurions players hands in a two man tackle that the referee missed, and the player crossed the Cents line to score another unconverted try. Undismayed, again the St Albans team were on the attack in the home teams half, when a fore arm to the head of a St Albans player, unnoticed by the referee, made him drop the ball which was collected by a Black Knights player who ran in from 40 yards to score a converted try. St Albans began to throw the ball around to try and tire out the large home team forwards, but, just like the first try, one of the passes was intercepted by a Kings Lynn players who scored under the post, and the try was converted. Being twenty points to eight down, with ten minutes left in the half seemed to settle the visitors down, and after winger O'Shea was tackled a yard from the line on one side of the pitch the ball was swiftly moved to the other side where Rob Holbrook passed the ball to Jamie Street who took two defender over the line with him to score an unconverted try. At half time the Cents were trailing 20 points to 12.
It began to rain at half time, and this made the ground and ball slippery, so that the game became one of short passes and hard tackles. Cents Nick Woolley managed to break the home teams defensive line and got his pass out to the ever present Rangihuna who was uncatchable from forty yards out as he scored beneath the post. Fullback Gareth Waters converted. The Black Knights are a good team, and they did not ease up on the pressure, and this told when they scored another converted try, making the score 26 to 18. Slowly you could sense that the Kings Lynn team, with their larger players were beginning to tire, and in the space of ten minutes Kiean O'Shea and Josh Lawrence were both tackled within a yard of the home teams try line. Brad Webber was the third Cents player to be prevented from scoring by a last ditch tackle, but from his play the ball, the ball went through several pairs of hands to Sam Bucknall who smashed through a tackle and scored a try that Waters converted. Both teams were feeling the strain of playing a very quick, physical game in the rain and soon after the Black Knights scored their last try of the game when several Cents players believed that the ball had been knocked on by a Kings Lynn player and stopped, unfortunately the referee did not agree and waved play on, which allowed the home team player to run on and score a try. With ten minutes left, the score was 30 - 24 to the home team, who put in a final thrust and slowly drove the Cents downfield, and then came the try of the match. The ball was being passed across the Centurions offensive line, sixty yards from the opposition line when Sam Bucknall caught the ball and accelerated. He burst through a two player tackle and ran the full distance being chased by several defenders, none of who could catch him. He scored under the post and Gareth Waters converted, making the score 30 points each.
Cents chair Brian Parker commented after the game " Another great fight back, just like last week. We started slowly and gained momentum as the game progressed. We are getting better each week, and hopefully we can turn this season around. The weather restricted the game in the second half to a very physical game, but there is not one of those players that did not give one hundred per cent. "
The Centurions received the ball from the kick off and drove it down field, unfortunately one of their last passes in the set was intercepted and a Knights player scampered down field to score a try, although he was chased out wide by Cents winger Kieran O'Shea and this prevented the conversion. Cents kicked off and for the next five minutes kept the Kings Lynn team in their own quarter of the field, before Cents Tim Rangihuna, returning from injury, slipped a pass to Sam Bucknall who scored the first of his hat trick of tries. Kings Lynn were the next to score, when the ball was reefed out of a Centurions players hands in a two man tackle that the referee missed, and the player crossed the Cents line to score another unconverted try. Undismayed, again the St Albans team were on the attack in the home teams half, when a fore arm to the head of a St Albans player, unnoticed by the referee, made him drop the ball which was collected by a Black Knights player who ran in from 40 yards to score a converted try. St Albans began to throw the ball around to try and tire out the large home team forwards, but, just like the first try, one of the passes was intercepted by a Kings Lynn players who scored under the post, and the try was converted. Being twenty points to eight down, with ten minutes left in the half seemed to settle the visitors down, and after winger O'Shea was tackled a yard from the line on one side of the pitch the ball was swiftly moved to the other side where Rob Holbrook passed the ball to Jamie Street who took two defender over the line with him to score an unconverted try. At half time the Cents were trailing 20 points to 12.
It began to rain at half time, and this made the ground and ball slippery, so that the game became one of short passes and hard tackles. Cents Nick Woolley managed to break the home teams defensive line and got his pass out to the ever present Rangihuna who was uncatchable from forty yards out as he scored beneath the post. Fullback Gareth Waters converted. The Black Knights are a good team, and they did not ease up on the pressure, and this told when they scored another converted try, making the score 26 to 18. Slowly you could sense that the Kings Lynn team, with their larger players were beginning to tire, and in the space of ten minutes Kiean O'Shea and Josh Lawrence were both tackled within a yard of the home teams try line. Brad Webber was the third Cents player to be prevented from scoring by a last ditch tackle, but from his play the ball, the ball went through several pairs of hands to Sam Bucknall who smashed through a tackle and scored a try that Waters converted. Both teams were feeling the strain of playing a very quick, physical game in the rain and soon after the Black Knights scored their last try of the game when several Cents players believed that the ball had been knocked on by a Kings Lynn player and stopped, unfortunately the referee did not agree and waved play on, which allowed the home team player to run on and score a try. With ten minutes left, the score was 30 - 24 to the home team, who put in a final thrust and slowly drove the Cents downfield, and then came the try of the match. The ball was being passed across the Centurions offensive line, sixty yards from the opposition line when Sam Bucknall caught the ball and accelerated. He burst through a two player tackle and ran the full distance being chased by several defenders, none of who could catch him. He scored under the post and Gareth Waters converted, making the score 30 points each.
Cents chair Brian Parker commented after the game " Another great fight back, just like last week. We started slowly and gained momentum as the game progressed. We are getting better each week, and hopefully we can turn this season around. The weather restricted the game in the second half to a very physical game, but there is not one of those players that did not give one hundred per cent. "
Cents Leave It Too Late Against The Tigers
Bedford Tigers 42 -v- 32 St Albans Centurions
After the euphoria of knocking the current cup holders out
of the cup last Saturday, St Albans Centurions landed with a bang when they
played Bedford Tigers in the league. If
ever a game fitted the old cliché ‘A game of two halves’, this was it. The first half saw the Cents dropping the
ball, missing tackles and playing well below their standards, whilst the second
half saw a resurgent St Albans who played very well and almost pulled off a
shock comeback.
In very bright weather with a strong wind at their backs Bedford took just six minutes to score an unconverted try. Josh Lawrence evened the score ten minutes later when he scampered in from 30 metres out to score in the far corner. Within minutes, the Cents knocked the ball on, and from the resultant scrum, Bedford took the ball out wide and scored another unconverted try. Cents forwards Roy Dube had been causing problems in the Tigers defence as he took the ball in time and again, but had to leave the field with a leg injury on the twenty minute mark. He was replaced by globe trotter Sam Norris, who had just returned from his round the world trip. There then followed fifteen minutes that decided the game. Bedford scored four converted tries in that quarter of an hour period, as St Albans looked unsettled and on the back foot and made
mistake after mistake. It was only with five minutes left of the first half that Cents, who were in the Tigers 20 metre zone, got the ball out to Sam Buckland who crashed through the defensive wall and scored beneath the posts. Fullback Gareth Waters converted, making the score ten points to thirty two at half time.
Whatever Cents coach Andy Lake said to his team at half time, it worked, as a resurgent Cents began to play the type of rugby they are capable of playing. Within minutes, forward Scott Clellow took three defenders over the try line with him to score, and Waters converted. Cents cause was helped with the sin binning for ten minutes of one of the Bedford players who’s foot had made contact with Cents Joe Shaws head. St Albans scrum half Rob Holbrook began to take charge of the game, pushing his team around the field, and it was no surprise when he crashed his way under the post to score a try that was converted. Even though the game was being dominated by the Cents, two mistakes by them in front of their own posts, a dropped ball and a knock on, allowed Bedford to score twice against the run of the game. This did not dishearten the St Albans squad, who once again took the match to the home team, and culminated with centre Nick Woolley jinking and side stepping his way across the line to score an unconverted try out wide. The score was 42 -26 with fifteen minutes left. Rob Holbrook sent Josh Lawrence over the try line only for the try to be disallowed as the ref decided he had been held up. A few minutes later Lawrence again powered over the line and again the decision was that he had been prevented from downing the ball. No such problems for St Albans Iain Langley who, throughout the game, had been putting in some of the hardest tackles on some of the biggest players on the pitch. Langley took the ball ten metres out from a Nick Woolley pass and three defenders could not stop him from scoring. Waters converted the try. With ten points difference and five minutes left, the Centurions threw everything at the Bedford defence. In that last five minutes, winger Kieran O’Shea, and forward Bucknall were both stopped on the line, captain Andy Hogg chased a loose ball into the Tigers in goal area, only to have it bounce out of his reach, and it looked as though Clellow would have scored as he was stopped over the try line by two defenders, who then reefed the ball out of his grasp. The referee decided that he had dropped the ball and the Tigers got the ball back.
At the end of the game Cents coach Andy Lake said “It seemed as though that was two different games. I hope they never again play as badly as they did in the first half, however the team showed their character in the second half and if the game was slightly longer we would have won it. Bedford are a good team, they utilised the wind in the first half and have a strong kicking game. Our first half problem was that we lost the ball on the first or second tackle at least half a dozen times and made basic passing and tackling errors. In the second half it was a different team, I’m so proud of that fight back. It’s up to me as the coach to get consistency into our game. And I’m sure I will.”
In very bright weather with a strong wind at their backs Bedford took just six minutes to score an unconverted try. Josh Lawrence evened the score ten minutes later when he scampered in from 30 metres out to score in the far corner. Within minutes, the Cents knocked the ball on, and from the resultant scrum, Bedford took the ball out wide and scored another unconverted try. Cents forwards Roy Dube had been causing problems in the Tigers defence as he took the ball in time and again, but had to leave the field with a leg injury on the twenty minute mark. He was replaced by globe trotter Sam Norris, who had just returned from his round the world trip. There then followed fifteen minutes that decided the game. Bedford scored four converted tries in that quarter of an hour period, as St Albans looked unsettled and on the back foot and made
mistake after mistake. It was only with five minutes left of the first half that Cents, who were in the Tigers 20 metre zone, got the ball out to Sam Buckland who crashed through the defensive wall and scored beneath the posts. Fullback Gareth Waters converted, making the score ten points to thirty two at half time.
Whatever Cents coach Andy Lake said to his team at half time, it worked, as a resurgent Cents began to play the type of rugby they are capable of playing. Within minutes, forward Scott Clellow took three defenders over the try line with him to score, and Waters converted. Cents cause was helped with the sin binning for ten minutes of one of the Bedford players who’s foot had made contact with Cents Joe Shaws head. St Albans scrum half Rob Holbrook began to take charge of the game, pushing his team around the field, and it was no surprise when he crashed his way under the post to score a try that was converted. Even though the game was being dominated by the Cents, two mistakes by them in front of their own posts, a dropped ball and a knock on, allowed Bedford to score twice against the run of the game. This did not dishearten the St Albans squad, who once again took the match to the home team, and culminated with centre Nick Woolley jinking and side stepping his way across the line to score an unconverted try out wide. The score was 42 -26 with fifteen minutes left. Rob Holbrook sent Josh Lawrence over the try line only for the try to be disallowed as the ref decided he had been held up. A few minutes later Lawrence again powered over the line and again the decision was that he had been prevented from downing the ball. No such problems for St Albans Iain Langley who, throughout the game, had been putting in some of the hardest tackles on some of the biggest players on the pitch. Langley took the ball ten metres out from a Nick Woolley pass and three defenders could not stop him from scoring. Waters converted the try. With ten points difference and five minutes left, the Centurions threw everything at the Bedford defence. In that last five minutes, winger Kieran O’Shea, and forward Bucknall were both stopped on the line, captain Andy Hogg chased a loose ball into the Tigers in goal area, only to have it bounce out of his reach, and it looked as though Clellow would have scored as he was stopped over the try line by two defenders, who then reefed the ball out of his grasp. The referee decided that he had dropped the ball and the Tigers got the ball back.
At the end of the game Cents coach Andy Lake said “It seemed as though that was two different games. I hope they never again play as badly as they did in the first half, however the team showed their character in the second half and if the game was slightly longer we would have won it. Bedford are a good team, they utilised the wind in the first half and have a strong kicking game. Our first half problem was that we lost the ball on the first or second tackle at least half a dozen times and made basic passing and tackling errors. In the second half it was a different team, I’m so proud of that fight back. It’s up to me as the coach to get consistency into our game. And I’m sure I will.”
East RL Cup Quarter Finals
St Albans Centurions 40 -v- 26 North Herts Crusaders
St Albans Centurions knocked the current cup holders out of the competition on Saturday. The Cents have made it through to the semi finals of the East Rugby League Challenge Cup with a resounding win over the North Herts Crusaders from Hitchin. Head coach Andy Lake is still recovering from surgery, so injured player Tim Rangihuna took over coaching duties for this game. Cents were pleased to see the return of captain Andy Hogg and Chris Davies from their RAF duties, Kieran O'Shea and Scott Clellow from injuries and Nick Woolley back from representative duty. Although this was the strongest team the Cents have yet put out, club chairman Brian Parker said there were still several more first team players absent from the squad line up.
Straight from receiving the ball from the kick off, St Albans went into the lead when on the third play the ball, Miles Costello powered down the wing and scored an unconverted try in the corner after only 1 minute 25 seconds. Not to be outdone, on the next set of six, forward Simba Mupamhanga crashed through four tacklers to score a second Cents try under the posts that was converted by Nick Woolley. It seemed that the Cents forwards were queuing up to run at the visitors, as Sam Bucknall's 30 metre dash and slick pass to Chris Davies saw Davies carry two Hitchin players over the line to score. Seven minutes later it was Bucknall himself who proved unstoppable from 30 metres out as he cut through the visitors defence to score under the posts. Wooley again converted. After 20 minutes the Cents were in a 20 - 0 lead. The St Albans pressure on the Crusdaers never let up, and on the 25th minute, captain Andy Hogg made a clean break, and then got the ball out to Miles Costello who outpaced the defence to score under the posts, followed by a Nick Woolley conversion. With five minutes left on the clock, Costello again tormented North Herts with a great run down the wing, before passing the ball to forward Ross Thomas who side stepped several players and touched down under the posts for a converted try. Leading 32 points to nil, with the approach of half time, the Cents eased up a little, only to have a dropped ball picked up by a Crusaders player who score an unconverted try. At half time Cents were in a 32 -4 lead.
It seemed as though the teams were about to change places in the second half, as a resurgent North Herts ran in two unconverted tries in the first ten minutes. It would have been three tries if not for Kieran O'Shea's speed, as the Cents winger chased down a Crusader over 50 metres who had burst through the Cents defensive line and tackled him. On the fiftieth minute, on the last play the ball, instead of kicking downfield, Sam Bucknall ran at the visitors line and used his power to take three defenders over with him to score a try. Within five minutes of that try, Ross Thomas scored his second try when although stopped just short of the try line, he reached out with the ball and slammed it down on the line, in front of the referee. Cents were leading by forty points to twelve, but the pressure of playing at such a high pace began to show on the home team, and even though they still made attacking drives, they could not stop the visitors running in three tries in the last ten minutes before the final whistle, making the final score 40 - 28.
After the game Centurions chairman Brian Parker said "We played this team in the league three weeks ago and were beaten. We had a more experienced side out today and it certainly showed. If we can keep the players free from injury and put out a similar strength side as this one, I think we will do well in the cup and the league. It was good to see our experienced players stepping up today, but I was also very impressed with our new players, they are certainly making an impression on the coach and the supporters. Not one player in this squad let us down today, the players have a great camaraderie and todays game proved it."
Straight from receiving the ball from the kick off, St Albans went into the lead when on the third play the ball, Miles Costello powered down the wing and scored an unconverted try in the corner after only 1 minute 25 seconds. Not to be outdone, on the next set of six, forward Simba Mupamhanga crashed through four tacklers to score a second Cents try under the posts that was converted by Nick Woolley. It seemed that the Cents forwards were queuing up to run at the visitors, as Sam Bucknall's 30 metre dash and slick pass to Chris Davies saw Davies carry two Hitchin players over the line to score. Seven minutes later it was Bucknall himself who proved unstoppable from 30 metres out as he cut through the visitors defence to score under the posts. Wooley again converted. After 20 minutes the Cents were in a 20 - 0 lead. The St Albans pressure on the Crusdaers never let up, and on the 25th minute, captain Andy Hogg made a clean break, and then got the ball out to Miles Costello who outpaced the defence to score under the posts, followed by a Nick Woolley conversion. With five minutes left on the clock, Costello again tormented North Herts with a great run down the wing, before passing the ball to forward Ross Thomas who side stepped several players and touched down under the posts for a converted try. Leading 32 points to nil, with the approach of half time, the Cents eased up a little, only to have a dropped ball picked up by a Crusaders player who score an unconverted try. At half time Cents were in a 32 -4 lead.
It seemed as though the teams were about to change places in the second half, as a resurgent North Herts ran in two unconverted tries in the first ten minutes. It would have been three tries if not for Kieran O'Shea's speed, as the Cents winger chased down a Crusader over 50 metres who had burst through the Cents defensive line and tackled him. On the fiftieth minute, on the last play the ball, instead of kicking downfield, Sam Bucknall ran at the visitors line and used his power to take three defenders over with him to score a try. Within five minutes of that try, Ross Thomas scored his second try when although stopped just short of the try line, he reached out with the ball and slammed it down on the line, in front of the referee. Cents were leading by forty points to twelve, but the pressure of playing at such a high pace began to show on the home team, and even though they still made attacking drives, they could not stop the visitors running in three tries in the last ten minutes before the final whistle, making the final score 40 - 28.
After the game Centurions chairman Brian Parker said "We played this team in the league three weeks ago and were beaten. We had a more experienced side out today and it certainly showed. If we can keep the players free from injury and put out a similar strength side as this one, I think we will do well in the cup and the league. It was good to see our experienced players stepping up today, but I was also very impressed with our new players, they are certainly making an impression on the coach and the supporters. Not one player in this squad let us down today, the players have a great camaraderie and todays game proved it."
St Albans Centurions 28 -v- 30 St Ives Roosters
St Albans
Cents first home game of the season was preceded by a
presentation of a new strip to the team from their new main sponsors, Stowe
Family Law. Unfortunately that’s where
the good news ended, because, as chairman Brian Parker said after the
game “I don’t know how we lost that game.
We were in charge for most of the match, we crossed the try line
thirteen times. Four times we were held
up, three trys were disallowed by the ref and we scored six times, once more
that the opposition. Rugby league can be
a cruel game at times.”
Even though they were without coach Andy Lake who is recovering from surgery, and still missing several first team players through injury, the St Albans team made a great start when on the second set of six, hooker George Stevens, crossed the line but was unable to get the ball down, and was hauled back from across the try line by the St Ives defence. Two minutes later winger Ashley Westhead jinked his way over for an unconverted try. On the ten minute mark Tim Rangihuna scored for the home team which was again unconverted, and it looked as though the Cents were taking charge when Joe Shaw crashed over the away teams try line and scored what seemed to be another great try, only for the referee to disallow it as he didn’t see the ball grounded. Cents prop forward Simba Mupamhanga made sure of the third Cents try as he proved to be unstoppable from ten metres out. On the twenty fifth minute, Joe Shaw crossed the try line for a second time, and again he had what appeared to be a good try ruled out. Shortly after, prop forward Simba Mupamhanga again had the crowd on their feet as he showed a burst of speed that left several Roosters trailing in his wake, as he covered sixty metres before being dragged down just in front of the posts. A couple of play the balls later and Centurion forward Ross Thomas went over for what appeared to be another Centurions try, only once again for the referee to rule it out. St Ives began to show the kind of spirit that made them last seasons league champions as they recovered from the St Albans blitzkrieg and slowly played themselves back into the game. They scored a converted try on the thirtieth minute from a Centurion defenders mistake, then scored their second, converted try with minutes to go before half time. Even with the Cents having most of the ball and most of the play, the half time scores was twelve points each at half time.
St Ives were the first to score in the second half, when within minutes of the kick off, they scored their third converted try against a Centurions team that had failed to settle down for the start of the half. Cents captain George Stevens had to leave the field with an injury to his jaw, being replace by Darren Westhead. On the fifty minute mark, Tim Rangihuna proved unstoppable from 30 metres out as he side stepped his way past several defenders to score St Albans fourth unconverted try, followed five minutes later by his third try, this time converted by Tim Shire, as he burst through the Roosters defensive line to score under the posts. The visitors never gave up, and kept up the pressure on the Cents, which paid off on the sixty fifth minute when they ran in a converted try under the posts, taking the score to 22 to 24 to the visitors. There followed a period of midfield play that turned into an arm wrestle with both sets of forwards trying to dominate. Ashley Westhead came in off the wing on several occasions and tormented the Roosters with his tricky runs and side steps and Brad Webber and Iain Langley never took a backwards step. Cents thought they had it wrapped up when Rob Holbrooke took two defenders with him and crossed the try line besides the post, but once again the referee ruled a no try. The Centurions never let the pressure stop as one after another they threw themselves at the St Ives line, and when it broke, it was forward Sam Bucknall who powered his way through the Roosters defence to score. This time the try was given and converted again by Tim Shire. The score was 28 – 24 to the Cents with ten minutes left. It looked like a St Albans victory when Tim Rangihuna caught the ball 30 metres out, jinked past several defenders then kicked ahead, chasing the ball into open space. As the ball crossed the try line Tim dived to touch it down, only for the rugby ball to do what rugby balls do and take a cruel bounce out of Tims outstretched hands. Unfortunately Tim had to have treatment off the field as he may have injured a muscle in the move.
With five minutes left of the game, the visitors upped their play and put the Cents under constant pressure. With a couple of decisions going against them, the Cents were pushed back down the pitch and a St Ives player scooped up a loose ball to cross under the posts, tying the game at 28 points each. St Ives had not missed a conversion all game, and this was no exception as they slotted the ball over for the two points and the win.
Chairman Parker added “ That was a great game between two good teams, very exciting to watch. St Ives just kept up the pressure, they would not give up. They are a good team and proved it today. On another day with a couple of different calls, or converting our tries, we would have won that, but we have to accept the result. The players must be disheartened, but I cannot fault any of them, they all played very well. “
Even though they were without coach Andy Lake who is recovering from surgery, and still missing several first team players through injury, the St Albans team made a great start when on the second set of six, hooker George Stevens, crossed the line but was unable to get the ball down, and was hauled back from across the try line by the St Ives defence. Two minutes later winger Ashley Westhead jinked his way over for an unconverted try. On the ten minute mark Tim Rangihuna scored for the home team which was again unconverted, and it looked as though the Cents were taking charge when Joe Shaw crashed over the away teams try line and scored what seemed to be another great try, only for the referee to disallow it as he didn’t see the ball grounded. Cents prop forward Simba Mupamhanga made sure of the third Cents try as he proved to be unstoppable from ten metres out. On the twenty fifth minute, Joe Shaw crossed the try line for a second time, and again he had what appeared to be a good try ruled out. Shortly after, prop forward Simba Mupamhanga again had the crowd on their feet as he showed a burst of speed that left several Roosters trailing in his wake, as he covered sixty metres before being dragged down just in front of the posts. A couple of play the balls later and Centurion forward Ross Thomas went over for what appeared to be another Centurions try, only once again for the referee to rule it out. St Ives began to show the kind of spirit that made them last seasons league champions as they recovered from the St Albans blitzkrieg and slowly played themselves back into the game. They scored a converted try on the thirtieth minute from a Centurion defenders mistake, then scored their second, converted try with minutes to go before half time. Even with the Cents having most of the ball and most of the play, the half time scores was twelve points each at half time.
St Ives were the first to score in the second half, when within minutes of the kick off, they scored their third converted try against a Centurions team that had failed to settle down for the start of the half. Cents captain George Stevens had to leave the field with an injury to his jaw, being replace by Darren Westhead. On the fifty minute mark, Tim Rangihuna proved unstoppable from 30 metres out as he side stepped his way past several defenders to score St Albans fourth unconverted try, followed five minutes later by his third try, this time converted by Tim Shire, as he burst through the Roosters defensive line to score under the posts. The visitors never gave up, and kept up the pressure on the Cents, which paid off on the sixty fifth minute when they ran in a converted try under the posts, taking the score to 22 to 24 to the visitors. There followed a period of midfield play that turned into an arm wrestle with both sets of forwards trying to dominate. Ashley Westhead came in off the wing on several occasions and tormented the Roosters with his tricky runs and side steps and Brad Webber and Iain Langley never took a backwards step. Cents thought they had it wrapped up when Rob Holbrooke took two defenders with him and crossed the try line besides the post, but once again the referee ruled a no try. The Centurions never let the pressure stop as one after another they threw themselves at the St Ives line, and when it broke, it was forward Sam Bucknall who powered his way through the Roosters defence to score. This time the try was given and converted again by Tim Shire. The score was 28 – 24 to the Cents with ten minutes left. It looked like a St Albans victory when Tim Rangihuna caught the ball 30 metres out, jinked past several defenders then kicked ahead, chasing the ball into open space. As the ball crossed the try line Tim dived to touch it down, only for the rugby ball to do what rugby balls do and take a cruel bounce out of Tims outstretched hands. Unfortunately Tim had to have treatment off the field as he may have injured a muscle in the move.
With five minutes left of the game, the visitors upped their play and put the Cents under constant pressure. With a couple of decisions going against them, the Cents were pushed back down the pitch and a St Ives player scooped up a loose ball to cross under the posts, tying the game at 28 points each. St Ives had not missed a conversion all game, and this was no exception as they slotted the ball over for the two points and the win.
Chairman Parker added “ That was a great game between two good teams, very exciting to watch. St Ives just kept up the pressure, they would not give up. They are a good team and proved it today. On another day with a couple of different calls, or converting our tries, we would have won that, but we have to accept the result. The players must be disheartened, but I cannot fault any of them, they all played very well. “
North Herts Crusaders 46 -v- 22 St Albans Centurions
With only fifteen minutes to go, the score was 22 points each in this first game of the 2015 season, but with their depleted first team squad, the Centurions seemed to run out of steam and allowed the Crusaders to run in three unanswered tries in the last quarter of an hour. Coach Andy Lake said after the game, " Once again, the availability of players cost us this match. I have a squad of twenty senior players and a squad of twenty development players, but due to injury, work and family commitments I only had nine first team players available in the seventeen man squad for this game, and made the squad numbers up from our development side, and whilst all the boys did very well against last years cup winners, we just did not have enough in the tank to hang on for those last few minutes. It is really disappointing, in that kind of game, I expected and could have accepted one of the teams losing by a few points. but to lose a game as close as this one by twenty two points is really rubbing our noses in it. Rugby league is an eighty minute game and you have to play for the full eighty to get the results."
The Centurions played their first game in the East Rugby League at Hitchin, the home of the North Herts Crusaders. A number of players were missing due to injuries picked up at last weeks season opening 9-a-side competition and from the rugby union season. The Crusaders got off to the better start when after fifteen minutes they ran in a converted try, followed five minutes later by a second unconverted one. Although pressing the home teams line, the Cents first scoring opportunity was taken brilliantly by prop Dan Hartley, who on the last tackle of a set of six, didn't kick the ball downfield as expected, but changed up a gear and raced in to score. He converted his own try. A North Herts converted try in the last minute of the half made the score 16 - 6 at half time.
The second half started with a great try from St Albans centre Nick Woolley, who intercepted a log pass from North Herts and outpaced their defence to go in at the corner for an unconverted try. Cents forward Chris Davies got on the scoreboard with a powerhouse charge down the middle, crashing through several defenders to score. Hartley converted, taking the score 16 all. North Herts showed their metal and scored a fine try when they kicked on, and two Cents defenders left the ball for each other, allowing a Crusaders player to scoop up the ball and score. Coach Lake made a great move when he sent Jack Cornthwaite on to the pitch. Cornthwaite, an ex Cents junior, started and ended the next Cents try. From the Cents kick off, he outpaced and out jumped the Crusaders and recovered the ball. Five tackles later, it was Cornthwaite who received the ball twenty yards out, and burst through three tacklers, taking two defenders over the line with him to score. Hartley again converted making the score 22 points each. However, five minutes later, Crusaders scored again when the referee gave a controversial try to the home team. With twenty minutes left, it was all to play for, and the Cents looked like the team in the ascendancy when they crossed, but were held up, over the North Herts line three times in five minutes. Unfortunately, Cents began to run out of steam, whilst the home team kept up the pressure. In those last few minutes the Crusaders ran in three unanswered tries against a St Albans team that were not given time to regroup or settle by their opposition. The Cents have also drawn East Herts Crusaders in the quarter finals of the East Cup, to be played in three weeks time at St Albans. (10.05.15)
With only fifteen minutes to go, the score was 22 points each in this first game of the 2015 season, but with their depleted first team squad, the Centurions seemed to run out of steam and allowed the Crusaders to run in three unanswered tries in the last quarter of an hour. Coach Andy Lake said after the game, " Once again, the availability of players cost us this match. I have a squad of twenty senior players and a squad of twenty development players, but due to injury, work and family commitments I only had nine first team players available in the seventeen man squad for this game, and made the squad numbers up from our development side, and whilst all the boys did very well against last years cup winners, we just did not have enough in the tank to hang on for those last few minutes. It is really disappointing, in that kind of game, I expected and could have accepted one of the teams losing by a few points. but to lose a game as close as this one by twenty two points is really rubbing our noses in it. Rugby league is an eighty minute game and you have to play for the full eighty to get the results."
The Centurions played their first game in the East Rugby League at Hitchin, the home of the North Herts Crusaders. A number of players were missing due to injuries picked up at last weeks season opening 9-a-side competition and from the rugby union season. The Crusaders got off to the better start when after fifteen minutes they ran in a converted try, followed five minutes later by a second unconverted one. Although pressing the home teams line, the Cents first scoring opportunity was taken brilliantly by prop Dan Hartley, who on the last tackle of a set of six, didn't kick the ball downfield as expected, but changed up a gear and raced in to score. He converted his own try. A North Herts converted try in the last minute of the half made the score 16 - 6 at half time.
The second half started with a great try from St Albans centre Nick Woolley, who intercepted a log pass from North Herts and outpaced their defence to go in at the corner for an unconverted try. Cents forward Chris Davies got on the scoreboard with a powerhouse charge down the middle, crashing through several defenders to score. Hartley converted, taking the score 16 all. North Herts showed their metal and scored a fine try when they kicked on, and two Cents defenders left the ball for each other, allowing a Crusaders player to scoop up the ball and score. Coach Lake made a great move when he sent Jack Cornthwaite on to the pitch. Cornthwaite, an ex Cents junior, started and ended the next Cents try. From the Cents kick off, he outpaced and out jumped the Crusaders and recovered the ball. Five tackles later, it was Cornthwaite who received the ball twenty yards out, and burst through three tacklers, taking two defenders over the line with him to score. Hartley again converted making the score 22 points each. However, five minutes later, Crusaders scored again when the referee gave a controversial try to the home team. With twenty minutes left, it was all to play for, and the Cents looked like the team in the ascendancy when they crossed, but were held up, over the North Herts line three times in five minutes. Unfortunately, Cents began to run out of steam, whilst the home team kept up the pressure. In those last few minutes the Crusaders ran in three unanswered tries against a St Albans team that were not given time to regroup or settle by their opposition. The Cents have also drawn East Herts Crusaders in the quarter finals of the East Cup, to be played in three weeks time at St Albans. (10.05.15)
Season Opening "Bash On The Beach" 9-A-Side Competition.
Cents make it to the plate semi finals.
Southend Spartans hosted the East RL's 9-a-side season opening tournament on Saturday. The pools were -
Pool A Pool B
St Albans Centurions "A" St Albans Centurions
Bedford Tigers NH Crusaders
Kings Lynn Black Knights Brentwood Eels
MK Wolves Cambridge Lions
Southend Spartans Breckland Spartans
NH Knights Bedford Tigers "A"
Cents won two of their three group games and lost one, putting them into the plate semi finals. Unfortunately they lost that game against the eventual winners. Results were -
Cents won North Herts Crusaders:14-12
Try scorers Phil Shire, Keiron O'Shea and Rob Holbrook.
Cents won Breckham Spartans: 12-4
Try scorers Phil Shire, Keiron O'Shea and Rob Holbrook
Cents lost against Brentwood Eels Score:12-14
Try scorers: Sam Bucknall, Lee Dunne, George Stevens
Plate Semi Final, Lost to North Herts Crusaders: 14-18
Try scorers Sam Bucknall and Phil Shire
Overall winners were Bedford Tigers, with North Herts Crusaders taking the plate.
(29.04.15)
Cents make it to the plate semi finals.
Southend Spartans hosted the East RL's 9-a-side season opening tournament on Saturday. The pools were -
Pool A Pool B
St Albans Centurions "A" St Albans Centurions
Bedford Tigers NH Crusaders
Kings Lynn Black Knights Brentwood Eels
MK Wolves Cambridge Lions
Southend Spartans Breckland Spartans
NH Knights Bedford Tigers "A"
Cents won two of their three group games and lost one, putting them into the plate semi finals. Unfortunately they lost that game against the eventual winners. Results were -
Cents won North Herts Crusaders:14-12
Try scorers Phil Shire, Keiron O'Shea and Rob Holbrook.
Cents won Breckham Spartans: 12-4
Try scorers Phil Shire, Keiron O'Shea and Rob Holbrook
Cents lost against Brentwood Eels Score:12-14
Try scorers: Sam Bucknall, Lee Dunne, George Stevens
Plate Semi Final, Lost to North Herts Crusaders: 14-18
Try scorers Sam Bucknall and Phil Shire
Overall winners were Bedford Tigers, with North Herts Crusaders taking the plate.
(29.04.15)
Cents Xlll 24 -v- 56 RAF
Don't let the score line make you think this was all one way traffic for the RAF - it wasn't. The RAF rugby league team were a very fit side, a highly drilled and disciplined side with a turn of speed that was exceptional.
St Albans played this, their last pre season game, in the same manner as their last one, four 20 minute quarters where each quarter the coach put out variants from his 20 plus squad. Once again Cents were missing quite a few first teamers, with a squad mix of seniors, development and four first timers to the game. It was praise indeed from the RAF coach who said that Cents were one team that his team could not ease up against, as they never gave up and just kept coming at them. Tries by George Stevens, Nick Woolley, Andy Hogg and Rob Holbrooke (2). After the game, coach Lake was up beat when he reminded the team that they would not be facing a team of the quality of the RAF in our East league, and if the Cents showed the same commitment they showed in this game, they would do very well in the coming season. Next weekend the season starts with the 9-a-side 'Bash On The Beach' tournament at Southend.
Don't let the score line make you think this was all one way traffic for the RAF - it wasn't. The RAF rugby league team were a very fit side, a highly drilled and disciplined side with a turn of speed that was exceptional.
St Albans played this, their last pre season game, in the same manner as their last one, four 20 minute quarters where each quarter the coach put out variants from his 20 plus squad. Once again Cents were missing quite a few first teamers, with a squad mix of seniors, development and four first timers to the game. It was praise indeed from the RAF coach who said that Cents were one team that his team could not ease up against, as they never gave up and just kept coming at them. Tries by George Stevens, Nick Woolley, Andy Hogg and Rob Holbrooke (2). After the game, coach Lake was up beat when he reminded the team that they would not be facing a team of the quality of the RAF in our East league, and if the Cents showed the same commitment they showed in this game, they would do very well in the coming season. Next weekend the season starts with the 9-a-side 'Bash On The Beach' tournament at Southend.
Hemel Stags Xlll 46 -v- 16 St Albans Centurions Xlll
St Albans Centurions had their first run out of the season on Wednesday evening when they visited near neighbours Hemel Stags for a game under floodlights. Head coach Andy Lake took 22 players with him, consisting of first teamers, development players and three players who had never played rugby league before. Unfortunately 9 other first team players were unavailable to play through work or family commitments. The game was played in four 20 minute quarters, each quarter giving the coach time to put out a different squad, with players playing in different positions, so he could run his eye over them. The Hemel team were also made up of senior players and some development players. Cents first try was scored in the first quarter by Iain Langley who was on hand to receive a ball from Cents new New Zealand signing Tim Rangihuna , that saw Iain cross the line after forcing his way through the Hemel defence. Cents second, converted, try came in the second quarter from winger Kieran O'Shea who, after a period of sustained pressure, crashed through four Hemel defenders to score out wide. Sam Bucknall scored St Albans third, converted, try in the third quarter with an unstoppable charge from 15 yards out. In the fourth quarter three Cents players crossed the try line, only to have their efforts ruled as 'held up' by the referee.
The game had to be stopped and restarted in the fourth quarter when it was noticed that, after scoring several tries, the Stags had been playing for an unknown period of time with fourteen players on the pitch. What was an enjoyable first run out for the team ended badly, as on the last tackle of the match, Cents winger Alan Petty sustained what is either a broken or badly dislocated ankle and had to be taken to hospital. (Get well soon Alan).
After the game Andy Lake said " First, I want to tell Alan Petty, from all the boys, to get well soon. Considering this was our first run out, and the team changed positions every quarter, I thought we did well. We were very solid in places, and it wasn't too disappointing to say that three of Hemels eight tries came from the bounce of the ball as opposed to our mistakes. I would also like to mention forward Sam Bucknall for a barnstorming performance, he played for 70 minutes and ran his blood to water for us. I have also seen a half back pairing that I was impressed with, and some players seemed to fit very smoothly into rolls they have never played before. This game has given me a few things to mull over for the coming season."
Training on Sunday 19th April, 11.30am at Toulmin Drive.
Photos from the game can be viewed here - http://sacents.smugmug.com/
St Albans Centurions had their first run out of the season on Wednesday evening when they visited near neighbours Hemel Stags for a game under floodlights. Head coach Andy Lake took 22 players with him, consisting of first teamers, development players and three players who had never played rugby league before. Unfortunately 9 other first team players were unavailable to play through work or family commitments. The game was played in four 20 minute quarters, each quarter giving the coach time to put out a different squad, with players playing in different positions, so he could run his eye over them. The Hemel team were also made up of senior players and some development players. Cents first try was scored in the first quarter by Iain Langley who was on hand to receive a ball from Cents new New Zealand signing Tim Rangihuna , that saw Iain cross the line after forcing his way through the Hemel defence. Cents second, converted, try came in the second quarter from winger Kieran O'Shea who, after a period of sustained pressure, crashed through four Hemel defenders to score out wide. Sam Bucknall scored St Albans third, converted, try in the third quarter with an unstoppable charge from 15 yards out. In the fourth quarter three Cents players crossed the try line, only to have their efforts ruled as 'held up' by the referee.
The game had to be stopped and restarted in the fourth quarter when it was noticed that, after scoring several tries, the Stags had been playing for an unknown period of time with fourteen players on the pitch. What was an enjoyable first run out for the team ended badly, as on the last tackle of the match, Cents winger Alan Petty sustained what is either a broken or badly dislocated ankle and had to be taken to hospital. (Get well soon Alan).
After the game Andy Lake said " First, I want to tell Alan Petty, from all the boys, to get well soon. Considering this was our first run out, and the team changed positions every quarter, I thought we did well. We were very solid in places, and it wasn't too disappointing to say that three of Hemels eight tries came from the bounce of the ball as opposed to our mistakes. I would also like to mention forward Sam Bucknall for a barnstorming performance, he played for 70 minutes and ran his blood to water for us. I have also seen a half back pairing that I was impressed with, and some players seemed to fit very smoothly into rolls they have never played before. This game has given me a few things to mull over for the coming season."
Training on Sunday 19th April, 11.30am at Toulmin Drive.
Photos from the game can be viewed here - http://sacents.smugmug.com/