Rugby union: Blackheath emerge pointless from 42-22 defeat to Rams
Blackheath have lost four of their last five National 1 matches with the latest setback coming last weekend at home to Rams.
A dominant final half-hour saw Blackheath eventually succumb, as Rams powered to a six-try victory, keeping the Berkshire club in pole position.
For 70 minutes the hosts kept the visitors within range but the size and weight of the opposition eventually proved too muc and the Club finished a contest empty handed on home soil for the first time this season.
Blackheath had the better start. Looking to inject pace and energy from the outset, the initial scrum triggered a lovely move for Sam Hill and Leo Fielding to send Alex Noot across for a try, converted well from out wide by Mark Cooke, with just two minutes played.
Turnover ball put Rams into Club territory, where they were destined to stay for most of the period.
Despite disruption of their lineout and a competitive scrum, Rams’ powerful running and efficient recycling created the space for full-back Henry Bird to cross twice, first courtesy of centre Ellis Jones, followed by an equally neat offload from fly-half Fraser Honey, after the back row had made inroads in the defence.
Ollie Walliker crashed over on the blind-side of a maul off lineout ball, as Rams were temporarily reduced in number for a dangerous tackle, leaving Blackheath just two points adrift at the interval.
The hosts were straight on the attack again straight from the restart, Cooke slotted a penalty to nudge them 15-14 ahead.
If there was one area that proved decisive, it was the strength of the Rams bench. Now all five of their replacements, including two props, entered the fray and helped set siege on the Club’s defences.
Repeated assaults were repelled, but failure to effectively exit meant the Club remained under pressure, and on 62 minutes the ramparts were breached as tight-head James Baker piled over.
A fourth try moments later, as replacement scrum-half Ollie Monye darted over when the Club lost possession on their own put-in, looked to have killed the game dead, but Blackheath’s response was to see Will Davis break off a maul for a converted try to bring the deficit down to 22-28.
But it offered only brief hope as Rams’ Axel Kalling-Smith beat a tiring defence to collect his own hoof forward, and opposite wing Charlie Robson tore down the left flank for a final try, Honey adding a sixth successful conversion.
The four-try bonus was still available for Blackheath but it eluded them as Alex Witchell was bundled into touch a metre short at the very last.
Blackheath make the journey to Manchester to face Sedgley Park on Saturday. Kick-off at Park Lane is 2.30pm.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
