Nick Surtees on the charge
RLC Round Eight - St Albans Centurions 38 -v- 32 Elmbridge RL 14.06.08
Man of the Match Richard Smith goes over for his third try and wraps the game up for the Cents.
St. Albans Centurions put an end to their losing streak on Saturday with a hard fought victory over Elmbridge RL. But the Cents certainly made it difficult for themselves as they gifted possession to their opponents far too often.
The Centurions were relieved to welcome back a number of key players in Richard Smith, Rudi van der Merwe and Jacques Steynberg but they still fielded a relatively inexperienced pack and played Oli Fountain and Dan Hensby while both were still carrying injuries. The first fifteen minutes were fairly even but it was Elmbridge who scored first when the excellent Mike McSweeney darted through a slack defence to touch down. Five minutes later they stretched their lead as Leon Gillespie dived in under the posts and Rick Mee added the extra two points.
The St. Albans side were coming up with some promising attacks as Shane Rampling, Jacques Steynberg, Roy Dube, Dan Hensby and Jamie Molloy all did well. But too often the good work was undone by silly mistakes as the Cents failed to complete their sets and gave the ball away. Oli Fountain, soon to be unavailable for three weeks on England duty, did particularly well in defence, chasing back to save a certain try and, as an added bonus, ripping the ball to regain possession. It was end to end stuff but the Centurions’ inability to hold on to the ball was costing them dear and on the half hour, Elmbridge loose forward, Doug Rodman went over on the right to put the Surrey side 14 points ahead.
It was looking ominous for the Cents and there were fears that their run of poor form was set to continue. Fortunately, some key experienced players were around to steady the ship. Richard Smith, who had a marvellous game, led by example and three minutes before half time grabbed his first try of the match. Chris True had made a good break down the right flank. Then strong running from Smith himself, Steynberg and Miles Dempsey set up Smith to race over the line. Jack Cornthwaite added the goal. When the Cents were awarded a penalty after Elmbridge put the ball straight into touch from the kick off, Miles Dempsey, Jack Cornthwaite and Rudi van der Merwe powered downfield, setting up Jamie Molloy for a good try on the left. And when Cornthwaite slotted the goal, the Cents had clawed their way back to make the half time score 12 v 14.
St. Albans started the second half with all guns blazing and after a great break from Rudi van der Merwe in the unaccustomed role of stand off half, the ubiquitous Richard Smith set up Miles Dempsey to power over from close range. Cornthwaite, whose kicks were to prove crucial in the end, added an excellent goal and the Cents went into a lead they were never to lose.
Moments later, with Lewis Padmore setting up a good field position, sloppy Elmbridge defence allowed van der Merwe to score under the posts after gathering his own kick. And again the reliable Cornthwaite added the extra two points. On fifty minutes speedy South African winger, Jacques Steynberg, scored a spectacular trademark try, showing both power and pace, and the Centurions had scored 28 unanswered points in less than twenty minutes. They ought to have been home and dry. Unfortunately, basic errors let them down and Elmbridge were gifted three tries in quick succession to allow them back into the game and narrow the score to 28 v 26 with ten minutes to play.
At last the Cents started to play some basic, straightforward Rugby League, completing their sets of six tackles and holding on to the ball. Andy Weldon, Shane Rampling, John Elvin, Miles Dempsey and Dan Hensby all made good yards before Richard Smith scored a simple try, converted by Cornthwaite.
And still the mistakes came as the Cents gave the ball away from the kick off to allow Elmbridge full back Rich Hewison in for a try. Rick Mee kicked only his second goal of the match to reduce the margin to a mere two points again.
It was left to man of the match, Richard Smith, to steady the ship and secure the points for St. Albans. Dan Hensby and John Elvin moved the ball upfield with strong runs before passing to Smith who went over for a well deserved hat trick. Coach Shane Rampling was full of praise for Smith, “That was an awesome performance,” he said. “I don’t think we’d have won without him. He led from the front. To our credit our young lads made some good strong runs once they got into the game. But it took a while to get into it. The main thing is - it’s a win and another two points.” Pics from the game are on The Gallery.
Team: Cornthwaite (5 goals); True; Fountain; Steynberg (try); Hensby; van der Merwe (try); Rampling; Padmore; Smith (3 tries); Dube; Elvin; Molloy (try); M. Dempsey (try); Weldon; Vassie; Sharpe; Brace.
