A JUBILANT Shane Rampling hoisted the Rugby League Challenge Cup as St Albans Centurions took the trophy on tour. The Centurions had the famous trophy for an afternoon and took it to local schools to show

A JUBILANT Shane Rampling hoisted the Rugby League Challenge Cup as St Albans Centurions took the trophy on tour.

The Centurions had the famous trophy for an afternoon and took it to local schools to show to the increasing number of youngsters in the area who are playing Rugby League.

The St Albans Centurions junior teams continue to impress and on Saturday the Centurions Under 12s beat Northampton Knights 24-12.

Rampling was very pleased by this display and the team now have three wins from four matches. Rampling said: "Some of them are brilliant players. The others are just exceptional. One thing is certain though, they love their Rugby League."

The Under 16s also had a great result with a 28-28 draw against Aylesbury. They impressed the spectators with a terrific fight back against a big, physical Aylesbury side.

Three St Albans Centurions have been awarded International caps - two for England and one for Ireland.

Speedy winger Ollie Fountain and rampaging prop forward Andy Lake were both selected for the English Lionhearts after trials held in the North of England. England Lionhearts are selected from players in the Rugby League Conference. They compete against Wales A, Scotland A (Bravehearts) and Ireland A (Wolfhounds) each year in the Amateur Four Nations competition. The first representative game is expected to be in June.

Barnstorming loose forward Paul Maloney has also crashed on to the international scene. He was selected to play for the Irish Students team when they compete in the Student World Cup in Brisbane, Australia in July of this year. Eight national teams, made up of rugby league playing students have made it through to the final stages of the Student World Cup. This competition is looked upon as a precursor to the Rugby League World Cup which is also being held in Australia in October.