Tigers went into their final game of the 2009 campaign knowing that St Albans would put on the fierce display of attacking rugby that has earned them third spot in the table.
Despite starting low on numbers and experience the Tigers began well. Hard defence from Doug de st Aubin, Dan Baroux and Sam Richbell spurred the Tigers on and St Albans found themselves becoming frustrated at not being able to create a breakthough. A Fortunate try just before the ten minute mark didn't seem to phase the Tigers either as they came straight back up the pitch forcing errors on the part of the Centurions and eventually Skipper Gary Flook stepped a defender and showed his strength to force his way over the line to bring the home side back to within 2 points.
The Tigers continued to frustrate the visitors and with confidence rising the home side began to string together good attacking plays to take themselves up to the Centurians 30 metre line. A penalty seemed like the ideal opportunity to draw level but a narrow miss allowed St Albans time to readjust and they began to attack with more pace and power.
The soon found themselves racing into a 24-4 lead. At this point they seemed to lose their heads a bit and with a few reffereeing decisions going against them tensions began to rise. A sin bin was awarded to the Cents winger for descent just before half time and the Tigers capitalised on the extra man with Euan Irwin squirming his way through several tackles to touch down between the posts. Sam Richbell converting the extras.
After half time Tigers continued to enjoy their extra man advantage and made some good attacking breaks through Craig Walker, Paul Leggot and new boy Gareth Harvey who was frustratingly denied a debut try just inches short of the line.
Tigers took advantage of the field posistion and Doug de st Aubin showed good awarness to find a certain bald prop in space infront of the sticks. He dug the ball out from around his ankles and unleashed a snap drop goal to edge the Tigers another point closer to the St Albans total.
Their lead was extended with the reintroduction of their winger however and the added pace and stamina proved too much for the Tigers. Some tired defence was duelly exploited as the Centurians turned the screw and put in a further three unanswered scores.
A moment of brilliance from Paul Leggott (totally out of character) released Euan Irwin with an almost impossible pass to score his second try of the game and Richbell again added the extras.
But on a day where St Albans proved their right to be in the league playoffs they had the final say with an unconverted try from the touch line.
Final Score Tigers 17 - 52 St Albans Centurians
Tries - Euan Irwin x2, Gary Flook
Goals - Sam Richbell x2
Drop Goals - Pid Prop Forward
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