Coventry 23 Blackheath 36.

Maximum points for the seventh successive occasion, and seven away victories for the season, as Blackheath move up to fourth place in SSE National League One.

But although they led this contest from the moment Jack Walsh scored the opening try on five minutes, the Club had to work mighty hard to hang on to their win, particularly when Coventry crossed for two late scores to bring themselves within six points.

In a frantic start to the game Blackheath quickly gained a scrum five metres from the Coventry try-line, and although the hosts won the ball it went loose in-goal and Walsh was quickly round to touch down.

Coventry consistently looked to attack though their left wing, forcing try-saving tackles from Richard Lankshear (twice) and Richard Pike, but a Mark O’Connor penalty aside, the defence held firm.

Instead it was Blackheath who opened up the left flank as, on the half-hour, full-back Mike Canty and wing James Stephenson combined, and a chip ahead was met by Walsh for the scrum-half’s second try of the match.

Almost straight from the re-start the visitors opened up the Coventry defence once again with a break through the midfield for Sam Windsor to send Stephenson across in the left corner, but on the stroke of half-time a lovely pass from Cov fly-half Ben Russell created the overlap for centre James Whybrow to cross, reducing the deficit to 19-10.

O’Connor’s second penalty after the break cut the arrears further, only for Sam Windsor to restore the nine-point advantage immediately, followed by what would eventually prove the decisive try of the match. From the re-start the ball was moved to Stephenson who tore into Cov territory before finding Canty in support and inside-centre Richard Windsor to finish off a fine move.

Nevertheless, Coventry would now enjoy their most productive spell of the match. As their powerful back-row drilled holes into the Club’s defence, unconverted tries were created for centre Callum MacBurnie and flanker Brett Daynes to bring the West Midlanders within a score of overturning the lead.

But with three minutes remaining Stephenson and Canty once again took play deep into Cov territory, and although the ball was turned over, a wayward pass enabled Blackheath to steal back possession, replacement loose-head James Cleverly nipping around the fringes of a ruck for the final score.

On Good Friday (6th April) Blackheath host Blaydon in their re-arranged league fixture. The match at Rectory Field is an early kick-off at 2.00 pm.

Coventry Tries: Whybrow, McBurnie, Daynes Conv: O’Connor Pens: O’Connor 2.

Blackheath Tries: Walsh 2, Stephenson, Windsor (Richard), Cleverly Conv: Windsor (Sam) 4 Pens: Windsor (Sam)