Blackheath continue friendly programme with comfortable 31-12 win over Barnes

BY GRAHAM COX

A definite improvement on the somewhat uninspiring, stop-start, performance at Bury St Edmunds a week previously, Blackheath ran in five tries against two from the visitors from Surrey, to complete a comfortable win.

Amongst the scores, a hat-trick for Shae Tucker, the New Zealander and former Cornish Pirate produced an excellent display at outside-centre, and complemented some neat passages of play from the Club back division.

Barnes had given Blackheath a torrid time up front at Queen Elizabeth Drive in April, and opened the scoring on three minutes following a drive off lineout ball.

Moments later, however, a delightful offload from Tom Ffitch sent Tucker through for his first score, quickly followed by a second for the Kiwi, as Nick Jansen, Ffitch and Matt Armstrong combined to move the ball across field.

Barnes hit back with a second try of their own, before a massive drive from the dominant Club pack, including a young Finley O’Sullivan at lock, saw Jack Owlett bundle over for a 19-12 interval lead for the hosts.

Tucker completed his hat-trick soon after the restart with a diagonal break to the right corner after lineout ball, but the game struggled a little with a strong breeze blowing across field, and an increasing penalty count.

However, there was the welcome sight of Mark Cooke back in Club colours, the fly-half finding Tucker and Markus Burcham to send Jake Hennessey to the left corner with the final play.

Prior to this match the Club XV also recorded a successful day, recovering from a 26-5 deficit to emerge 41-26 winners against their Barnes counterparts.

Blackheath now play Canterbury at Well Hall on Friday evening, before their National League One campaign begins at Taunton on September 2.