Grand Final success for Cents

Sharks no match for Rampling’s Cents

RLC Grand Final

St Albans Centurions 54

West London Sharks 4

WEST London Sharks hold on the Harry Jepson Trophy was relinquished as the Cents put in another awesome performance.

For the second week running the Cents were caught cold from the kick off and some good drives by the Sharks forwards put them within 10 metres of the Cents try line from quick play the ball the hooker Paul Towell dived over from acting half.

Then in the 15th minute the Sharks gave away three penalties and on the third tap Adam Kambouris opened the Cents scoring with David Kramer converting.

Again the Sharks were penalised and from the tap Shane Rampling sent a pass out wide for winger Ollie Fountain to dance over over. Kramer again converted.

On the half hour mark the Cents scored again from a penalty. A tap on the Cents 20 metres saw forward Joe Shaw make 30 metres and from the play the ball, quick hands down the line sent winger Rudi van der Merwe in the corner.

Five minutes before the break the Cents were back on the scoresheet following good work from the forwards. They made over 30 metres before an up and under by Adam Kal the ball was allowed to bounce and Matt O’ Rourke picked up the loose ball to score. Kramer was again on target with the conversion.

Then on half time the Sharks lost their disciple and Cents made yards with their kick to touch. From the tap centre Aaron Brown went through a tired defence.

The second half was only five minutes old when Sharks knocked on in their own 30 metre line. From there they were caught short on the blind and centre Aaron Brown went over in the corner.

The Sharks defence held out until the hour mark when centre Brown completed his hat-trick. Again the Cents caught their opponent’s defence short on the blind side of the scrum and Brown raced over for the score.

The Cents pressure was relentless and they went straight back at the Sharks from the kick off. The forwards drove to the half way line and from the play the ball O’ Rourke put a kick through the defence and full-back Kramer chased to score under the posts, a score which he converted himself.

In the final 10 minutes the Sharks were reduced to 10 men with two in the bin and one sent off. The Cents took advantage and ran in three tries. The first was a fourth for centre Brown who with Fountain split the defence with some inter passing. Then Fountain chased a kick through and his speed left the Sharks’ defence in his wake. Kramer converted.

Then on full time Kramer received a pass on the half-way kicking ahead and collecting to score to complete the Cents win and kick start the celebrations.

The Cents now travel to Swindon on Sunday, September 5,to play Valley Cougers of Wales. Kick off is 2pm.