St Albans Centurions U13s are the toast of the club after victory in their final league game of the season handed them the London League title.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Centurions U13s take the ball forward in their crunch clash with Elmbridge Eagles. Picture: DARRYL BROWNSt Albans Centurions U13s take the ball forward in their crunch clash with Elmbridge Eagles. Picture: DARRYL BROWN (Image: Archant)

The 40-32 win over Elmbridge Eagles U13s means the Toulmin Drive-based rugby league club have lost just one game all year since the campaign got underway in March.

But they had to earn the championship the hard way.

Going into the game the young Cents, who are made up of players from various schools across the district, were one of three teams within a point of each other at the top of the table and knew that even a victory over the Surrey side may not be enough.

And they didn’t make it easy viewing for the spectators, with both teams seemingly taking it in turns to score.

They managed to get their noses in front, leading 36-32 as the game entered the last minute, but were most definitely under the cosh.

However, a break away play saw the St Albans’ boys get the ball from their own half all the way down the field to score, making the game safe.

Coach Gary Tetlow said: “We scored some good tries, we defended resolutely up the middle, and our endeavour can’t be questioned.

“We kept making basic errors, leaving ourselves work to do and our edge defence was weak today. But all in all I am very proud of the lads.

“Anyway, all things being equal, we finished top of the league, and now have a week off before the top four play offs.

“But we will be training hard again on Thursday.”

Part of their prize for winning the league is a home tie against the fourth-placed team in two weeks time in the play-off semi-final.

The senior team have their own date with a trophy this Saturday.

They face Bedford Tigers in the East of England Cup final, with the game at Hemel Stags’ Pennine Way ground starting at 4pm.