Eastern Rhinos 12 St Albans Centurions 36

ST ALBANS Centurions racked up another victory winning away at Eastern Rhinos.

Eastern Rhinos failed to reproduce the tight defensive play from their previous game so failed to contain a big physical St Albans side who consistently gained extra yards from their tackle sets and at times produced some slick passing and offloads.The Rhinos responded to an early spell of pressure to keep The Centurions in their own 20 metres for consecutive sets but a penalty enabled St Albans to kick for excellent field position from which a sweeping cross field move put Dan Hensby over in the corner.

Needless penalties were to cost the Rhinos dearly. Andy Lake increasing the Centurions lead on 20 minutes after the Rhinos had conceded a string of penalties on their own line.

The Rhinos hit back, Matt Tilley breaking away but failing to ground the ball properly under pressure as he crossed the line in the corner, the Centurions recovering quickly, when to relieve pressure a long kick into the corner was hacked on into the in goal area, Dan Hensby the first to the ball to increase the St Albans lead to 12-0. Adam Cook, Joe McMillan and Nick Faliveno all came close to scoring for the Rhinos but the Centurions capitalised on further penalties before half time to increase their lead to 22-0 through tries from Jonno Elvin and Rudi Van der Merwe, and a Brett Walsh conversion.

The Rhinos started the second half brightly and when Jamie Curtis broke to the line after collecting a kick on the rebound, the Rhinos spun the ball wide for Darryl Walters to touch down. Peter LeMarquand converting to make it 6-22, but St Albans responded with an Adam Kal try when he seized on an awkwardly bouncing ball to touch down by the posts. However, The Rhinos were enjoying their best spell of the game and their pressure paid off in the 60th minute when Darryl Walters broke the Centurions defensive line to run in from 30 metres, Pete LeMarquand converting to make it 12-28. However the Centurions finished strongly with Dan Hensby completing his hatrick with a scoot from close range and Matt O’Rourke crossing wide to make the final score Eastern Rhinos 12 St Albans Centurions 36.