With their top-four position in the League cemented before the kick-off, the Centurions appeared to lose focus against a St Ives team who only had to keep things simple and disciplined to run out easy victors. In complete contrast to recent weeks, the Centurions stormed into an early lead. After just five minutes Sam Beton pounced on a defensive mistake to dive over in the corner. St Ives responded with a converted try of their own before Toby Sweeney out-smarted and out-muscled the Roosters defence for a great solo try, converted by Alex Powdrell. On 29 minutes, the always impressive Alex Curtis smashed through for a third try. Minutes later, a superb up-and-under from Scott Clewlow was almost caught in the in-goal area for a fourth try. By half-time, the game had slipped through the Centurions’ fingers, too Two converted tries in the dying moments of the first half, saw St Ives enter the break with an 18-14 lead … and they never looked back. Orchestrated by their creative, streetwise half-backs, the Roosters controlled every aspect of the game. By the hour mark, they led by 42 points to 14. Whilst no-one could question their application and backbone, the more desperate the Centurions became to draw themselves back into contention, the more unforced errors they made. St Ives were content to manage the game by keeping it simple and kicking long on the final tackle to gain field position. A converted try for the Roosters in the final minute was well-deserved and brought the curtain down on a thoroughly disappointing day for St Albans. Club Chairman, Andy Lake was philosophical about the defeat: “every team has off days and today was one that we’ll try hard to forget. After the first quarter, nothing seemed to click. The effort was there for all to see but the lack of focus on basic skills cost us dearly. Let’s hope we’ve got that out of our system and we can quickly return to better performances and winning ways.” The Centurions are at home to Hemel Stags in the semi-final of the cup on Saturday 29th May, 2.30pm start. Final score: St Albans Centurions 14 St Ives Roosters 48 Sat. 22nd June, 2.30pm k.o. at Toulmin Drive, St Albans The Centurions were left to rue a succession of missed chances as a fourth away game on the run saw them lose to local rivals, Hemel Stags. On a windswept afternoon, St Albans conceded the customary early try with just a minute on the clock. But any thoughts of a walkover by the home side were soon dispelled as ferocious tackling and solid forward play brought the Saints back into an enthralling game. Chances to draw the game level went begging for the Centurions and they paid a heavy price when the Stags crossed the line again just before the half-hour mark to lead 10-0. Sterling work from always-impressive Dale Gardner was rewarded when he side-stepped half the Hemel team to score the Centurions’ first try, expertly converted by Alex Powdrell. Half-time 10-6. In the second-half, the Centurions ran the show. Marshalled brilliantly by Sam Bucknall, who was head-and-shoulders the best player on the park, the away team moved into another gear to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Gardner added his second of the day after 49 minutes. Tom Sweeney scored an excellent try of his own four minutes later. And then Niall Braniff smashed through a demoralised defence on 56 minutes. A Powdrell conversion put the Centurions 20-10 up and cruising. Further tries should have followed. But a series of careless mistakes let Hemel off and they sensed they were still in the match. On 66 minutes, the Stags broke free to score against the run of play but with eight minutes left, Centurions were still ahead 20-14 and in control. But when a converted try brought the home team level, the Centurions lost their composure. Three minutes later disaster struck when the referee missed a clear knock-on by the Stags full-back, foul play off-the-ball and, finally, a Hemel player clearly stepping into touch in order to get around the Centurions defence to score. A last-second Stags try from a hopeful up-and-under added salt to the wound. Coach Mupamhanga was devastated: “after a terrible start, we dominated the second half and should have run away as clear winners. The ref’s indecision didn’t help but it was our own decision-making which eventually cost us the points. Hopefully, it’s a lesson all the players can learn from.” The Centurions will be ready for revenge when they meet Hemel again at home in the Cup on Saturday 29th June, 2.30pm start. Final score: Hemel Stags 32 St Albans Centurions 20 Sat. 8th June, 2.30pm k.o. at Pennine Way, Hemel Hempstead The mighty Cents gave a debut to the impressive Hearne, following his whole-Army representative honours for Rugby League.
On the hottest day of the year so far, the Centurions withstood high temperatures, a huge Knights’ pack and a succession of unforced errors to return to the top of the East League with a convincing win that was anything but routine until the final quarter. The Knights also had their eyes on top spot and after racing into an early lead, dominated the tackle to keep St Albans penned in their own half. A barnstorming try from Callum Porter helped restore parity before the Knights crossed under the posts again. Next Scott Clewlow smashed through the North Herts defence with Chad Tunley adding his second conversion to level the scores. Powerful running from Hearne and Shaw caused constant problems in the North Herts defensive line, whilst Forwards Braniff, Spratt and Lee were tireless against a massive North Herts pack. The Centurions dominated the rest of the half, with Andrew Spencer and Tom Spratt adding exquisite tries and Tunley a third conversion before Knights scored against the run-of-play on the stroke of half time to leave the score at 16-22. Early chances to stretch the lead went begging as St Albans made unforced errors close to the try line. Godson Sado showed the rest how it was done to finish off a great team play, only for the Knights to go up the other end and score another try of their own. Sado soon added another just before the hour mark after a sensationally weighted looping pass from Bucknall over the North Herts defence, only for the Knights to peg the scores back once more. Assured displays from experienced player-coach Simba, Westhead and Webber calmed the Cents in the heat, as well as great team play from Maher and Gardener to pressure the crusaders side. That remained the home team’s last hurrah. In the stifling heat, the Centurions’ extra pace and mobility left the Knights’ forwards trailing in their wake. Great support lines off of the unstoppable Joe Shaw ensured Alex Powdrell scored with an impudent dart from acting half-back after a great team play. Kieran O’Shea broke the line to run in from distance. The young Rob Campbell dived over in the corner to finish off a sublime move. Finally, the impressive Sam Bucknall surged over the line to cap off a great individual performance. With conversions from Tom Spratt and Powdrell, the Saints ran out 52-26 winners. Player-coach Simba Mupamhanga was pleased by the way his players stuck to their task. “The Knights were a big team and made some crunching tackles early in the game. But our forwards hurt them, too, and we knew if we stuck at it our extra speed and handling skills would prevail. In the end we should have won by more.” We wish the best of luck in recovery to Chad Tunley, after playing through the pain for the Cents with a broken foot. Speedy recovery Chad. Final score: North Herts Knights 26 St Albans Centurions 52 Sat. 1st June, 2.30pm k.o. at King George V Playing Fields, Hitchin |
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