ST ALBANS CENTURIONS 28 BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 16 – Toulmin Drive
St Albans picked up their first-ever win against over the Buffaloes despite being without player/coach Shane Rampling.
Bramley put the Saints defence under pressure from the kick off and forced consecutive goal line dropouts culminating with quick hands putting winger Andrew Staniland over in the corner in the eighth minute.
The visitors then succumbed to making basic mistakes, were penalised for offside and from the tap the ball was switched back inside and Centurions prop Dylan Rampling crashed over, Gareth Waters converting.
Another costly penalty concession gave the hosts threatening field position and this time stand off Nick Woolley took advantage to sneak over, Waters’ goal making it 12-4 at half time.
Saints were sluggish at the start of the second period, Buffaloes taking advantage when second rower George Clark powered over, Aaron Blake goaling.
The home side became undisciplined as the table turned, twice pulled up for offside and then laying on, Craig Lingard exploiting the position gained, sneaking over out wide, Blake adding the extras to put the visitors in front for the first time in the 47th minute.
Saints regained their composure and from a kick, winger Kieron O’Shea collected and raced 40 metres, a quick play the ball on the last seeing hooker Ryan Kambouris send the ball out wide for centre Mick Benson to score, Waters converting.
From the kick off full-back Waters collected and made good ground, again a quick play the ball allowing Kambouris to position in Joe Shaw, Waters again on target with the boot. Centurions established a two score lead when Bramley lost possession at a scrum in their own quarter and, on a power play, Shaw drew the defence to send O’Shea across to secure a third win of the campaign.
CENTURIONS
1) Gareth Waters, 5) Ross Kelloway, 3) Joe Shaw, 20) Mike Benson, 2) Kieron O’Shea, 6) Nick Woolley, 7) George Stevens, 8) Dylan Rampling, 9) Ryan Kambouris, 10) Roy Dube, 11) Brad Webber, 12) Scott Clewlow, 13) Ben Kay, Subs (all used); 19 Mike Hollister, 15 Charlie Brook, 18 Iain Lansley, 17 Sam Norris
Tries: Rampling (12), Woolley (32), Benson (55), Shaw (58), O’Shea (72)
Goals: Waters 4
BUFFALOES
1) Craig Lingard, 2) Andrew Staniland, 3) Danny O’Connor, 4) Tom Langton, 5) Hafeez Yesufu, 6) Aaron Blake, 7) Matt Oliver, 8) Dave Parker, 9) Graham Nash, 19) Ben Langton, 11) Benoit Rogers, 12) George Clark, 13) Robin Wilkes, Subs (all used); 14) Jimmy Bell, 17) Steven Gill, 20) Anthony Mills
Tries: Staniland (8), Clark (42), Lingard (47)
Goals: Blake 2
Men of the match:
CENTURIONS – Ryan Kambouris
BUFFALOES – Robin Wilkes
Half time: 12-4
Referee: Danny McNeice