The Cents gave debuts to Chapman, Adebayo and Osmond, and welcomed the return of 2017 captain Sam Bucknall who has been living and playing rugby in New Zealand during 2018. Brentwood started the game strongly and were camped in the St Albans half for most of the first twenty minutes, but the experience of Darren Westwood proved a calming influence on the Cents. The Eels were kept scoreless by a strong and resolute Cents defence that repulsed and stifled every Eels attack. The tide began to change in Cents favour in the second quarter, with the first interchanges, when three fresh forward were brought on. Following good work from the forwards, when prop forward Kristian Naylor broke through three tackles and ran 30 metres to touch down for a try. Alex Powdrell added the conversion. The first half finished 6 - 0 in St Albans favour. The second half saw the home team dominate the game with Peter Strain and Josh Lawrence quickly adding further tries. Powerful running from 2019 club captain Callum Porter tired the Eels defence, as well as Joe Shaw making a staggering 17 carries. Strain picked up a dropped ball in his own half out paced the Brentwood defenders to cross the line in the corner.Elusive running from Simba Mupamhanga put Brentwood on the back foot, and Lawrence, always a handful, took the ball from 15 metres out, broke two tackles and took two defenders over the line to score. Both conversions were missed. Unfortunately some Brentwood players lost their composure and after several niggly incidents had a player sent off. In the closing moments of the game it was time for the other prop forward to score his try, when Tom Spratt crashed through several tackles of a tiring defence to score the fourth try for the Centurions. Spratt hit the upright as he tried to convert his own try. The match finished with a final score of 18 - 0 to the home team. Man of the match was Sam Bucknall with nine carries and sixteen tackles. Team manager Tony Bottomley speaking after the game said " It was a good run out as first games of the seasons go, against a very fast and fit opposition. Our defence, especially in the first half, was the key to our victory. If we can maintain this form we can be hopeful of winning some silverware this season". The Centurions next match is another home game, against Bedford Tigers at their Toulmin Drive ground on Saturday 11th May with a 2.30 kick off. Good luck to Brentwood for the rest of the season. Comments are closed.
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