South London Storm lost 46-10 away to St Albans Centurions on Saturday. In a game littered with mistakes, a one dimensional St Albans outfit came through stronger than the South London side.

The match started slowly for Storm, a problem which has haunted them all season. With possession being spilt very early on deep in Storm territory, Cents were able to exert pressure and score within the first five minutes.

As good as Storm were early on without the ball, they were equally as poor with it. Throughout the next 15 minutes St Albans spent the vast majority of their time in control, with the Storm side all too quick to put possession to floor. Set completion was a big problem all day and the additional workload was to cost Storm later in the game. 

Despite the early errors it was Storm who were to score next. Having completed two sets in succession, Storm found themselves in Cents territory. Some good work from Charlie Tribble and Craig Montiero left Storm in striking distance with Pete Crook burrowing over to tie things up at 4-4.

Having shown the ability to make yards, particularly through the enthusiasm of Crobyn Thomas-Smith and power of Dave Supperstone, Storm looked to be back in the game, however, once again the ball was lost to floor allowing Cents to strike back. First Dylan Rampling and then David Blinkhorn crossed for the Cents in quick succession, the bigger men breaking through tired Storm tackles. One further score was added before the break from Cents impressive fullback David Kramer, leaving the half time score at 16-4.

The Cents started the second half in similar style, with David Kramer and Oli Fountain scoring from kicks through the Storm line, and Storm failing to control the ball in hand. Another score was added by Nick Wooley and Storm were looking at a heavy loss with the score at 30-4. Although the second half had started poorly, Storm did not give up. Many players including Chris Beaven and AJ Campbell put in a hard shift out of position, and there was a small reward when Phil Berry released RLFANS.COM man of the match Aaron Brown for one of his customary scores 30-10. With 20 minutes left, Mike Wade, Matt Stringer & Oli Fountain compounded the Storm misery, leaving the final score at 46-10.

Whilst the errors were plentiful, Storm will come away from this match aware that they were beaten by their own mistakes as opposed to any subtlety in the home side’s performance.  A sharper performance will be required during the coming weekend’s inaugural Conference Premier Magic fixture Vs Eastern Rhinos, also to be held at St Albans.

Storm; Josh Schmidt, Ben Illingworth, Aaron Brown(1t), Dave Supperstone, Corbyn Thomas-Smith, Jim Berry, Phil Berry, Charlie Tribble, Keiron Daniels, Peter Crook(1t), Charlie Tribble, AJ Campbell, Craig Montiero, Chris Beavan , Matt Burke(c), Dave Fone, Josh Smith, Luke Douglas