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St Albans Centurions are within one win of an appearance in the Grand Final of the RLC Premiership South after an inspiring last gasp victory over title rivals London Skolars, 34-28. The Cents take on Kingston Warriors on Saturday at the Recreation Ground knowing that any sort of win puts the team through to the prestigious final to be played at the Stoop, home of Harlequins RL. Anything less than victory would mean the Cents would have to go into the play offs and fight their way to the Grand Final.

Cents had already played the North London based side twice this season, with both sides registering a win each, but this was the all important tie with both sides up for the game. Coach Shane Rampling had a strong squad to pick from with only injured Owen Doyle, Dan Wortley and Craig Foster along with Adam Cox and Jack Cornthwaite unavailable, although his plans were disrupted when speedster Oli Fountain dropped out on the morning of the game through ill health. On the plus side the game saw the return from injury of Russ Kellaway. Skolars team looked very strong on paper with several guys lining up with National League 2 experience.

The game was preceded by torrential rain but the skies were blue come the time when the North London kicked off. The opening exchanges were fierce and Cents had to be on their guard as the Skolars, marshalled well by halves Dave Brenton and Todd Egan looked for openings but the visitors defence stood firm and after 9 mins. took the lead when a clever grubber behind the Skolars defensive line was fumbled by full back Gareth Rees and Kristian Warner was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and stroll in under the posts. The Tom Pritchard conversion made the score 6-0. The quality of play belied the slippy conditions and both sides used the kicking game to maximise field position, but it was Cents who capitalised best and on 15 mins. they stretched their lead following strong runs from Nick Surtees and Andy Lake the ball was worked out to Kristian Warner whose kick through was fumbled again by Rees and Shane Rampling gathered and crossed and although the conversion was missed Cents had a 10-0 lead.

For the following few minutes of the half it was all hands to the pump for Cents as wave after wave of Skolars pressure was exerted and miraculously the Cents kept them out through tenacious scrambling defence. Something had to give and on 18 mins. diminutive hooker Willie Webster saw a gap in a tiring defence and ghosted though under the sticks, the scorer going on to convert his try to make it 10-6. 8 mins. later the Skolars doubled their score, taking the lead as Dave Brown stole the ball in a one on one tackle and raced to the line and the Webster conversion made the score 12-10. It remained this way until half time.

The scoreline was a fair reflection on the first half, a half Cents had dominated for the early stages before the Skolars took control. The second half continued at a ferocious pace with no quarter asked or given and on 4 mins. Cents retook the lead. They were awarded a penalty on half way which was dispatched to near the Skolars line. Two tackles later Lewis Padmore drove the ball towards the line, and an outstanding off load in the tackle allowed Andy Weldon to cross for his first try, the Pritchard conversion making it 16-12. 3 minutes later Cents were at it again, concerted pressure on the Skolars line was capitalised on as on the 6th tackle Kristian Warner placed a perfectly weighted bomb to the corner and Kellaway was on hand to rise above the defence, catch the ball and drop over the line to make the score 20-12.

The Skolars were far from out of it, despite being 10 points behind and they continued to work hard to get back into the game and on 13 mins. they were rewarded as Chris Atherton went over to make it 20-16. This see saw encounter was keeping the crowd entertained and it could have gone either way. Sensationally it was Cents who next registered a score when Kristian Warner scooted in and another Pritchard conversion made the score 26-16. Within 15 minutes Skolars had retaken the lead with tries from Charlie Oyebade and Webster, the score 28-26.

With 5 mins. left the Skolars put up a huge bomb which was fumbled by Jamie Molloy, the Skolars Rubert Jonker gathered the ball and only a last ditch tackle by Rampling prevented the game being put beyond the Cents. The Skolars played the resultant play the ball quickly but in their bid to score, a loose pass was flung inside and Rudi van der Mewre was on hand to intercept the ball and race 95 metres to score under the posts and the conversion by Pritchard put the Cents 4 points ahead.

The Skolars pressed hard in the final few minutes but Cents managed to counter attack and pressing the Skolars line forced a drop out following a kick on the final tackle into the in goal area. The resultant drop out did not make 10 metres, and Cents were awarded a penalty in front of the goals and this was converted by Pritchard.

The final whistle was blown and there were jubilant scenes on and off the field as the significance of the result sunk in.

Team: van der Mewre (1 try); Molloy; Smith; Pritchard (5 goals); Kellaway (1 try); Rampling (1 try); K Warner (2 tries); Lake; Wren; Surtees; J Warner; Millar; Maloney subs Dube; Weldon (1 try); Dempsey; Padmore