Junior rugby league is back as St Albans Centurions U14s played a cup game against Elmbridge Eagles.

The sport in the area has had a tough time post COVID-19, with junior participation dipping.

So it was a real positive that Centurions could get the game on and with much better player numbers in this game, the future is looking brighter.

Coach Rob Collins brought the boys together, with many of the players also representing rugby union clubs in the district.

Due to continuing challenges with their home ground at Toulmin Drive, the game was played at Verulamians who were hosts for the club's first ever game back in 1995.

Assistant coach Gary Tetlow had led training sessions prior to the match and the contest itself was a superb advert for junior rugby league with plenty of positives to be drawn by the Cents.

It did end in a narrow 24-22 but there were positives as they scored tries through Ollie Robinson (two), Charlie Latham, Charlie Krantz and Eli Ferguson.

Collins said: "I am very pleased with the lads in their first ever game together against an experienced side.

"We have a lot to work on for the boys to understand the game better, but it was a fantastic start.

"We are very positive about the potential of the junior section and know, from experience, there is an appetite for rugby league in spring and summer."

Anyone interested in playing, both male and female and of any age, email gary.tetlow@outlook.com and come along to a training session or two, try out the game.