Blackheath 29 Darlington Mowden Park 27.

 

Both sides can take credit from a tight open game, not without error, but which saw a total of nine tries and from which Blackheath emerged worthy winners.

 

Gordon Ross' flat passing from fly-half, allied with a desire to run from deep and some inspiring breaks from number-eight James Catt, ensured an electric start from the hosts, full-back Mike Canty crossing out wide, before wing Omari Caro marked his Club debut with a weaving break for a 12-0 lead on 14 minutes.

 

Darlington responded with a penalty from fly-half Grant Connon, before a neat move off a set-scrum enabled full-back Henry Robinson to break the defensive line for their opening try. And as mistakes gave the visitors field position, the bouncing ball was gathered for skipper and outside-centre Cameron Mitchell to cross for a converted try giving Darlington a 15-12 advantage at the break.

 

Blackheath regained the lead on 44 minutes as outside-centre Markus Burcham sent Caro across for a second score, and a break from close to the Club's goal-line saw the wing make the final pass for flanker Seb-Nagle-Taylor to race away for a fourth try.

 

The visitors were back within two points on 70 minutes, as a crossfield move produced a try for replacement wing Malakie Wacokecoke, but another Club debutant, scrum-half Cameron Keenan, dummied around the fringes to put Blackheath into an unassailable lead before left-wing Ben Rath salvaged two league points for the visitors in the final play.

 

For Blackheath five points keeps them in fourth place in the National League One table.  Next Saturday the Club take a break before returning to action on 28th March with a trip to the north-east to face Tynedale.  

 

Blackheath.   

 

Tries:   Canty, Caro 2, Nagle-Taylor, Keenan.

Conv:  Squires, Ross

           

Darlington Mowden Park.  

 

Tries:  Robinson, Mitchell, Wacokecoke, Rath.

Conv:  Connon 2.

Pens:    Connon.