Centurions kick off Premier Division with double victory

LED by Annanites head coach, Nigel 'Nick' Weston and offence captain Dom Lewis, Carlisle based flag football team the Border City Centurions, kicked off their inaugural season the GB Premier Division on Saturday with two huge wins on the road against division favourites and top two seeds for the North, Newcastle and Renfrewshire. Having been promoted from Division One last season, following a 19-0 undefeated run, the Cents wasted no time in putting the entire Premier Division on notice with two statement wins. Donning their crisp new look game shirts, provided by Bendles Solicitors following agreement on a five-year kit deal and tackle flags designed by Kingmoor Park, the lads from both sides of the border proudly represented the area and showed the ‘big dogs’ of the division just what they are capable of. The charge was led by Annan's Dom Lewis who was awarded MVP for the day, putting up an impressive five Touchdowns, four Extra Point conversions and three 1st Downs from just 12 catches. The first of the giants to fall was Newcastle. The end score 46-34. Next up was Renfrewshire, a side who had featured in the finals last year and given the Cents their first defeat in their inaugural season back in 2023. This time the Cents came away with a 42-33 victory, Meanwhile, following last year's promotion, the Centurions launched a 2nd team (Centurions Gold) and they also debuted at the weekend – going away to Lancashire to face a local side stacked in Team GB players and their professional league Quarterback. It was a baptism of fire for the new kids on the block, but nevertheless they stood their ground and put up 21 points against international quality before slipping behind and losing 50-21. However with a bit between their teeth, the Cents Gold weren’t to see their opening day dampened and immediately bounced back with an emphatic first ever win, hammering Salford 48-20.