A CONVINCINGscoreline in the end, but don’t let it disguise a resurgent Nuneaton performance in the third quarter that really tested Blackheath’s temperament.

Trailing by 20-7 at half time, the visitors dominated the period after the interval, forcing the concession of numerous penalties, one of which fly-half Huw Thomas converted before a long hoof up-field from another infringement led to a try for wing Ross Bayston to bring Nuns within three points.

But just when they needed them most, Blackheath came up with the scores that mattered. On 65 minutes the ball was worked wide on the right, and although wing Dan Caprice was held short, full-back Paul Humphries followed up to dive over from the ensuing ruck.

Then, three minutes later, inside-centre Mike Staten picked up a loose ball on the Nuns’ ten-metre line before weaving through the defence for the try of the match. Humphries converted both scores, adding a late penalty for good measure.

This was a pressure match for Blackheath against the side third from bottom in the table (and one position above the Club) and on balance the hosts deserved it.

They’d started the match in explosive fashion, Humphries kicking the first of his three penalties in the second minute after the Club pack had forced Nuns into holding-on on their own goal-line.

As they continued to press, skipper Matt Leek saw a drop-goal attempt go wide but hooker Gavin O'Meara got his hands in the way of the resultant drop-out, the ball falling kindly for Staten to pick up and canter over next to the uprights.

Nuneaton quickly came back into contention when, in virtually their first serious assault of the match, second-row Dan Hurst crossed for the visitors after a diagonal run from centre Tim Douglas.

But Humphries' second penalty followed by quick ruck ball from Alberto Gava, the Argentine scrum-half making his Club debut, to send flanker Dave Allen under the uprights on 38 minutes, gave Blackheath their all-important half-time advantage.

Blackheath travel to the north-east to take on in-form Blaydon next Saturday before returning to Rectory Field on November 14 for the visit of Wharfedale.

Scorers: Blackheath Tries: Staten 2, Allen, Humphries. Conv: Humphries 4. Pens: Humphries 3 Nuneaton Tries: Hurst, Bayston. Conv: Thomas 2. Pens: Thomas