Centurions semi-final bound in East of England Cup after Milton Keynes romp

The bank holiday weekend played havoc with selection but the squad that travelled didn’t look overawed and bagged nine tries in the 48-18 win.

Sam Allen continued his rich vein of form with a hat-trick, and also added six conversions.

Alex Curtis added two while Scott Clelow, Simba Mupamhanga, Callum Porter and Peter Strain all went over for one each.

But despite this it was the Wolves who took the lead on seven minutes, catching Cents out with some strong running.

It woke St Albans up from their slumbers and Clelow burst over from close range to level the scores.

Allen’s first straight from the kick-off gave them the advantage but Milton Keynes had the wind behinid them and retook the lead following a Cents’ knock-on.

It would be the last time they were ahead.

Prop Mupamhanga crashed over for a try converted by Allen and some good forward play after the restart sent Curtis in at the corner.

Wolves added their final try, again converted, just before the break but it was St Albans who went in 22-18 in front.

Three tries in 14 minutes killed the game as a contest.

Curtis scored out wide again before Porter scored the try of the match, running onto a perfect pass from Allen to score near the posts.

Allen got his second when he danced round the tiring defence to complete the try-scoring burst and give Cents a 38-18.

Two more tries in the final 10 minutes ended the scoring.

Allen got his hat-trick, which he converted, and right on the whistle Strain scorched in down the wing.

The semi-final is scheduled to take place on June 17.

It is back to league action this Saturday when Bedford Tigers arrive at Toulmin Drive for a 3pm kick-off.

# A new premier competition is set to be launched across the south of England as part of plans to create a coherent pyramid structure.

It is hoped that the new leagues, one in the east and one in the west, will allow the regional leagues, like St Albans’ East League, to flourish.