Launceston 31 v 15 B'heath

Rugby Union National League Two

BLACKHEATH'S third clash with the Cornish All Blacks ended in a scrappy victory for the West Country men, writes Jack Kay.

The hosts scored inside a minute when Blackheath were penalised for holding and home fly-half Stuart Alred kicked what was to be the first of nine successful attempts.

Blackheath could have drawn level with their own penalty kick but the attempt from the corner missed the target.

There followed a nightmare six minutes for Blackheath as they conceded three penalties giving Launceston a 12-point lead with only 12 minutes on the clock.

Despite the poor start Blackheath were looking stronger and it was no surprise when Ally Vanner scored after good work by Harvey Biljon and Dave Foxwell Albertus Delport kicked the extra points.

Launceston hammered home penalty number five and again Blackheath's Delport failed with his own penalty kick before Alred kicked penalty number seven to increase the host's lead to 11 points.

The second half carried on where the first half left off with Delport's penalty reducing the deficit before another Alred kick restored the host's 11-point advantage.

Blackheath then laid siege to Launceston's try line but could not break through until 70 minutes when Ken Aseme went over for an unconverted score.

But Launceston secured victory when Nigel Simpson went over for a converted try.

Blackheath are now third-from-bottom in rugby union's National League Two and face a crunch match this weekend at the Rectory Field against eighth-placed Manchester.