St Albans Centurions stop Crusaders in their tracks
Sam Allen on his way to score his first try for St Albans Centurions - Credit: Archant
A blistering first half from St Albans Centurions paved the way to a 46-30 home victory over North Herts Crusaders – although they had to survive a strong fight back in the second half.
Alex Ricci on his way to score his first try - Credit: Archant
The Toulmin Drive rugby league side ran in six tries in the opening 40 minutes to go in 34-6 ahead.
They even scored the first try of the second half to go further ahead but Crusaders made a game of it, running in four tries of their own to add a touch of respectability to the score.
Hat-trick hero Sam Allen was the star for Cents, taking his try tally to five in just his second-ever game of rugby league.
Sam Bucknall and Alex Ricci got two with Joe Baker the other.
North Herts Crusaders can't find a way through the St Albans defence - Credit: Archant
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Nick Woolley landed six conversions.
The win puts Cents in third position of the East Rugby League, having played one more than Bedford Tigers and Hemel Stags ahead of them.
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Injuries continue to be the one cause of concern for St albans though.
They went into this game without six first-team regulars, and with yet more players making their first team debut.
Team manager Tony Bottomley said: “Once again it was a game of two halves, and it will continue like this until we have a settled squad that is not being changed every week by injuries.
“This season it seems that as soon as we get a couple of players back from injury, we lose three more.
“However, the boys played very well today. I can say well done to both the new players and the regular squad members.”
The teams will clash again this Saturday in Hitchin in the East Rugby League Shield semi-final.
