Rugby union: Case cracks Blackheath
BY GRAHAM COX
Paddy Case will likely have been handed the keys to the city of Leeds on his return to Yorkshire after this immaculate place-kicking display.
The Tykes’ inside-centre collected 17 of his side’s total tally, including the vital three, as he held his nerve to strike the winning penalty with the clock in the red.
Blackheath watched a winning position being snatched away from them in the dying moments for the fifth time this term.
The game remained on a knife-edge throughout with never more than a score separating the teams.
Case served notice of his abilities straight away with a 45-metre strike, as Blackheath held on in the opening minute, but Freddie Gabbitass was soon able to respond at the other end with an easier kick.
Leeds claimed their only try of the match on 13 minutes, as a neat break down the right flank, which may have had a hint of a forward pass, saw full-back Andy Lawson race over next to the uprights.
Blackheath were soon back on level terms as they went through the phases for George Spencer to work Marcus Kershaw across in the corner, Gabbitass adding a fine conversion, and the Club fly-half also found an excellent touch on the stroke of half-time for Nathan Morris to be driven across for a 15-10 advantage to the hosts.
Another quick exchange of penalties after the restart advanced the scores, and with Harry Dugmore making inroads, and Spencer finding a couple of breaks, Blackheath looked to have the edge.
Leeds were increasingly winning the breakdown battle and as Blackheath started to lose accuracy, two further infringements allowed Case to nudge the visitors ahead.
Blackheath’s best pressure of the second period came in the final five minutes, and resulted in a penalty for Jake Hennessey to put them two-points ahead, but their discipline let them down as they came up offside, and from 25-metres Case was never going to miss.
Blackheath travel to Somerset for their first-ever league visit to Taunton on Saturday. Kick off at Veritas Park is at 3pm.
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