St Albans Centurions started the London Premiership season with a 44-20 home win over Staines Titans.

In the fourth minute, Cents gave notice of their intent when young winger Ryan Shorter burst through the Titans defence and raced 40 yards to score in the corner.

Five minutes later Joe Shaw announced his return by taking a great pass from Andy Hogg and crashing through the West London team to score under the posts. Staines replied but the Cents scored again when Nick Woolley ran in a great try from 30 yards out.

Kieran O’Shea returned a long kick when he ran with the ball for seventy yards before offloading to sub Simon Paige, who twisted and turned through several tackles and crossed the Titans line to score.

O'Shea then got in on the act as he raced 60 yards to score a converted try and Woolley rounded off the scoring in the first half which gave them a 32-6 lead.

The Titans scored after the restart but St Albans' George Stevens powered his way over the opposition try line to score a touchdown.

Shaw got on the scoresheet for a second time when another powerful run saw him outpace the Titans defence to score under the posts and Woolley kicked the Cents' last points of the game.

Staines scored twice late on but the Cents still ran out comfortable winners.