St Albans Centurions
Encyclopedia
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league
club based in St Albans
, Hertfordshire
.
Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference
, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3
. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier
Division. 2007 & 2010 also saw the club win the 'Triple', the League Championship, the Southern Premiership Grand Final and the National Grand Final. The club plays their home games at Toulmin Drive, St Albans and their clubhouse is in High Oaks, St Albans.
The St Albans Centurions was established in 1996 by Gary Tetlow and Ken Edwards and their first game was lost narrowly to a Hemel Hempstead development team. In 1997 the Centurions replaced the Ashford club in London League
Division 2, and progressed to the second round of the knock-out competitions. Later that year the Centurions signed a membership agreement with Old Verulamians rugby union club to secure ground sharing, giving them a firm base and offering good facilities for both players and sponsors. The team finished second in the league that season and established a rugby league development team to encourage junior development.
1998 The under-13s competed in a festival of rugby league and also in the London Junior Competition and the senior team were accepted into the Rugby League Conference
, where they finished runners-up in the Southern Division. The team was beaten in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, Crawley Jets.
1999 The team fielded a second team for the first time, and the first junior player graduated to the Open Age side.
2000-2002 The club consolidated itself in the Conference and in the London League.
2003 The club entered the newly created National League 3, playing teams from all over the country. They reached the play-offs, beating Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
before going down to Warrington Woolston Rovers
. They also entered the Rugby League Challenge Cup
, losing to Birkenshaw in the first round.
2004 the Centurions finished 7th in the league and then shocked Bradford Dudley Hill
in the play-offs before losing to Bramley Buffaloes
.
2005 The first team won 12 out of 16 league matches, finishing third and lost in the play-off semi-finals. The second team continued to play in the Conference and the club continued its junior development programme. The club also relocated its home ground across town to share with Old Albanian Rugby Football Club
at Woollam's.
2006 The first team qualified for the play-offs in fourth place in National League Three. It beat Dewsbury Celtic
but lost an elimination match to the Warrington Wizards
. The team also competed in the Northern Rail Cup, taking on semi-professional outfits London Skolars
and Crusaders.
2007 League Champions, Southern Grand Final Winners & National Grand Final Winners. The Cents relocated to Colney Heath and relaunched itself with a new committee and a new club logo in preparation for the 2007 season. The Cents then joined the Rugby League Conference South Premier
and went from strength to strength. The Centurions won 12 of their 14 seasonal league games and finished top of the Conference, they also became Major Premiers of the Southern Conference by beating South London Storm 16 - 10 in the Southern Grand Final. St Albans went through to represent the South in the national semi-finals and defeated the Welsh Champions Bridgend Blue Bulls 42 - 16. The Cents then went on to win the National Grand Final and the Harry Jepson Trophy by defeating the Midland champions, Coventry Bears
by 28 -20.
2008 was a mixed season for the club, St Albans won the North London Cup, a pre-season 'round robin' tournament between themselves, London Skolars A-team and Hemel Stags. Unfortunately the loss of nine retiring players from last years squad, and a string of injuries meant the club finished fourth in the Rugby League Conference Southern Premier. In October, due to the increasing number of junior teams and limitations of facilities at Colney Heath, the club moved back to their original ground at Cotlandswick, on the outskirts of St Albans.
2009 was a good year for the club as they settled down to life at their new ground. The senior squad finished 3rd in the Rugby League Conference Southern Premier, only losing three games all season, but were knocked out of the end of season play-offs by the eventual National Champions, West London Sharks
.
2010 League Champions, Southern Grand Final Winners & National Grand Final Winners. St Albans Centurions won all their games except one in the Southern Premiership and were crowned League Champions. In the Major Premiership play offs that follow the end of the regular season The Cents defeated the Eastern Rhinos in the semi finals by 60 points to 6, and then won the Grand Final against West London by 54 points to 4. In September the Centurions, playing as Southern Champions, defeated the Welsh Champions, Valley Cougars in the National Semi Finals before going on to win The Harry Jepson Trophy by defeating the Midlands Champions Coventry Bears
by 56 points to 4.
2011 The Club has taken possession of its own ground and clubhouse at Toulmin Drive, St Albans. The Cents finished second in the league and were losing Grand Finalists.
Centurions Juniors playing at under-12, under-14 and under-18 level in the summer London Junior League
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
.
Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier
Rugby League Conference South Premier
The Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England...
Division. 2007 & 2010 also saw the club win the 'Triple', the League Championship, the Southern Premiership Grand Final and the National Grand Final. The club plays their home games at Toulmin Drive, St Albans and their clubhouse is in High Oaks, St Albans.
History
The first rugby league club in St Albans was launched in 1970 by the landlord of The Beehive pub just off London Road, St Albans Beehive RLFC lasted four seasons and were followed by St Albans Waverley for a year in the mid-seventies.The St Albans Centurions was established in 1996 by Gary Tetlow and Ken Edwards and their first game was lost narrowly to a Hemel Hempstead development team. In 1997 the Centurions replaced the Ashford club in London League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
Division 2, and progressed to the second round of the knock-out competitions. Later that year the Centurions signed a membership agreement with Old Verulamians rugby union club to secure ground sharing, giving them a firm base and offering good facilities for both players and sponsors. The team finished second in the league that season and established a rugby league development team to encourage junior development.
1998 The under-13s competed in a festival of rugby league and also in the London Junior Competition and the senior team were accepted into the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
, where they finished runners-up in the Southern Division. The team was beaten in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, Crawley Jets.
1999 The team fielded a second team for the first time, and the first junior player graduated to the Open Age side.
2000-2002 The club consolidated itself in the Conference and in the London League.
2003 The club entered the newly created National League 3, playing teams from all over the country. They reached the play-offs, beating Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League...
before going down to Warrington Woolston Rovers
Warrington Wizards
Warrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in...
. They also entered the Rugby League Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
, losing to Birkenshaw in the first round.
2004 the Centurions finished 7th in the league and then shocked Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
in the play-offs before losing to Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
.
2005 The first team won 12 out of 16 league matches, finishing third and lost in the play-off semi-finals. The second team continued to play in the Conference and the club continued its junior development programme. The club also relocated its home ground across town to share with Old Albanian Rugby Football Club
Old Albanian Rugby Football Club
Old Albanian Rugby Football Club is a rugby club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.The club runs up to six senior teams each week and has one of the largest Mini and Junior sections in the country. There is a thriving social membership and members enjoy some of the finest facilities in...
at Woollam's.
2006 The first team qualified for the play-offs in fourth place in National League Three. It beat Dewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section...
but lost an elimination match to the Warrington Wizards
Warrington Wizards
Warrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in...
. The team also competed in the Northern Rail Cup, taking on semi-professional outfits London Skolars
London Skolars
London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One...
and Crusaders.
2007 League Champions, Southern Grand Final Winners & National Grand Final Winners. The Cents relocated to Colney Heath and relaunched itself with a new committee and a new club logo in preparation for the 2007 season. The Cents then joined the Rugby League Conference South Premier
Rugby League Conference South Premier
The Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England...
and went from strength to strength. The Centurions won 12 of their 14 seasonal league games and finished top of the Conference, they also became Major Premiers of the Southern Conference by beating South London Storm 16 - 10 in the Southern Grand Final. St Albans went through to represent the South in the national semi-finals and defeated the Welsh Champions Bridgend Blue Bulls 42 - 16. The Cents then went on to win the National Grand Final and the Harry Jepson Trophy by defeating the Midland champions, Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
by 28 -20.
2008 was a mixed season for the club, St Albans won the North London Cup, a pre-season 'round robin' tournament between themselves, London Skolars A-team and Hemel Stags. Unfortunately the loss of nine retiring players from last years squad, and a string of injuries meant the club finished fourth in the Rugby League Conference Southern Premier. In October, due to the increasing number of junior teams and limitations of facilities at Colney Heath, the club moved back to their original ground at Cotlandswick, on the outskirts of St Albans.
2009 was a good year for the club as they settled down to life at their new ground. The senior squad finished 3rd in the Rugby League Conference Southern Premier, only losing three games all season, but were knocked out of the end of season play-offs by the eventual National Champions, West London Sharks
West London Sharks
West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Chiswick, Hounslow, Middlesex. West London Sharks are now playing out of Chiswick RFU, Dukes Medow in Chiswick. They compete in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference...
.
2010 League Champions, Southern Grand Final Winners & National Grand Final Winners. St Albans Centurions won all their games except one in the Southern Premiership and were crowned League Champions. In the Major Premiership play offs that follow the end of the regular season The Cents defeated the Eastern Rhinos in the semi finals by 60 points to 6, and then won the Grand Final against West London by 54 points to 4. In September the Centurions, playing as Southern Champions, defeated the Welsh Champions, Valley Cougars in the National Semi Finals before going on to win The Harry Jepson Trophy by defeating the Midlands Champions Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
by 56 points to 4.
2011 The Club has taken possession of its own ground and clubhouse at Toulmin Drive, St Albans. The Cents finished second in the league and were losing Grand Finalists.
Juniors
The club continues to develop junior teams with Cottonmill Crusaders, Hatfield Comets and New Greens Gladiators competing in the winter Chilterns Junior LeagueCenturions Juniors playing at under-12, under-14 and under-18 level in the summer London Junior League
London Junior League
The London Junior League is a rugby league competition for clubs in London and the South East of England.The season runs from February through to September. It is competed for at under-16, under-14, under-13 and under-12 level. There is also a Rugby League Conference Academy league for the under-18...
.
Minis
In 2011, the club started up a mini section for under-7s and 9s, entering their first festival in Brentwood in June. Both age groups reached their respective semi-finals.Club honours
- London Bowl Winners: 1998
- RLC Eastern Division Champs: 2005
- RLC Premier South League Champions: 2007
- RLC Premier South Grand Final Winners: 2007
- Harry Jepson Trophy/National Grand Final Winners: 2007
- North London Cup: 2008
- RLC Premier South League Champions: 2010
- RLC Premier South Grand Final Winners: 2010
- Harry Jepson Trophy/National Grand Final Winners: 2010
- RLC Premier South Runners Up: 2011
- RLC Premier South Grand Finalists: 2011
Representative honours
- Nick Surtees, Scotland
- Dene Miller, Scotland A
- Andy Lake, GB Community Lions and England Lionhearts
- Rudie vd Mewre, England Lionhearts and Exiles Representatives
- Oli Fountain, England Lionhearts
- Paul Maloney, Ireland Wolfhounds
- Matt Stringer, England Lionhearts