Old Albanian 12 v Blackheath 35.

A consecutive bonus point victory, and one which will leave Simon Legg delighted given his side’s last performance here less than twelve months ago.

Last December Blackheath stumbled to a humiliating 53-16 trouncing at the Woollams Playing Fields during a poor run of form which ultimately left them struggling at the base National League One, but this result was enough to cast that memory aside and left the Club Director of Rugby and his players basking in the warm autumn sunshine at this Hertfordshire venue.

Built on the platform provided by a remodelled front-row, with James Cleverly switching to tight-head, Aston Croall on the loose-head side and Sam James deputising for the unavailable Gavin O’Meara at hooker, as well as Blackheath’s ability to exploit the half-chances that came their way, the visitors raced into a 21-0 lead in almost as few minutes.

Jake Bedding’s quickly taken tap with the first penalty of the game saw the scrum-half squirm and slither his way through 35-metres of tackles to open the scoring, and in a fast-paced opening both sides looked to move ball. They knocked plenty of it on too, but it was Old Albanian who fared worse, and with possession spilt on half-way, the ball found its way to Mike Canty to tear down the right flank for a second score.

Four minutes later and the Club pack found its way driving at the heart of the Albanian defence before Alex Gallagher glided across for the next try, and with the fly-half adding a third conversion, Blackheath were into a substantial lead.

On this occasion though, the hosts were able to respond, and quickly. Winning a line-out straight from the re-start, left-wing Jimmy Spiers crashed through the midfield for a converted try to reduce the arrears on 25 minutes. However, for a side who like to attack from anywhere on the park, Albanian’s clumsy handling, typified by the three beautifully executed dummies by their half-backs only for possession to be given up, plagued their afternoon. It was left to their forwards to provide their one remaining score and, as half-time approached, and the visitors infringed at the five-metre scrum after ball was held up across the goal-line, captain and number-eight Billy Johnson bulldozed over from the tap-penalty for a 12-21 scoreline at the break.

A week earlier, Blackheath had taken their foot off the gas in the second period against Loughborough Students, and let the opposition begin to erode away at a healthy lead. In contrast, on this occasion, the Club grafted to keep a clean sheet, defending resolutely, forcing the errors which denied their opponents momentum and, when the time came, took their opportunities to apply the finishing touches.

In the 67th minute, Canty fired up a garryowen which bounced horribly in Albanian territory until Seb Nagle-Taylor controlled and, with George Oram in support, sent Harry Fry across the try-line within moments of the replacement hooker’s arrival on to the field in only his second Club appearance. Moments later, Nagle-Taylor mopped up yet more lost ball, Tom Trotter took play forward and, once again, Canty showed devastating pace to cross for a second score and cap a fine afternoon for the full-back.

Gallagher added his fifth successful conversion in a perfect kicking afternoon from the Club fly-half, and Blackheath were out of sight.

Next Saturday, Blackheath return to Rectory Field for the visit of Blaydon. Kick-off is 3.00 pm.

Old Albanian.

Tries: Spiers, Johnson.

Conv: Reeder.

Blackheath.

Tries: Bedding, Canty 2, Gallagher, Fry.

Conv: Gallagher 5