Blackheath 17 Wharfedale 7.

A straightforward victory for Blackheath who make it five wins on the bounce, although the Club may feel a little disappointed not to have picked up the four-try bonus that their endeavour and enterprise merited.

For that, Wharfedale can take credit for some resolute defence, and for coming back into the contest on the hour when Greens’ wing Oliver Cicognini won the race to touch down a well-directed grubber to the left corner, giving the Yorkshiremen a glimmer going into the final quarter.

For the most part, however, Blackheath looked untroubled, particularly during an opening period in which they enjoyed a majority of possession and territory.

The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when Markus Burcham switched the direction of attack, and his centre colleague Richard Windsor sent a long pass to Ben Summers out wide for the left-wing to slide across. And on half-time, Mike Canty showed electric pace coming up from full-back to break through the cover, giving the hosts a 10-0 lead at the break.

A penalty try followed at the start of the second period, as the Dalesmen came up off-side at a five-metre scrum, but Cicognini's try lifted the visitors and Blackheath themselves needed some stout defence, particularly from Richard Pike at blind-side.

In a frantic finale each side ran the ball from deep, looking for the extra score which might have given them the reward of an additional league bonus-point, but the defences held firm and both were to be denied.

Next Saturday, Blackheath head to the Forest of Dean for their meeting with Cinderford, before returning to Rectory Field a week later to take on their oldest rivals Richmond. Blackheath.

Tries: Summers, Canty, Penalty try.

Conv: Squires.

Wharfedale.

Tries: Cicognini.

Conv: Guy.