Blackheath 16 Worthing Raiders 14

Mike Canty once again proved to be the hero of the hour as Blackheath left it late to secure victory in this tightly fought contest.

The Club had started brightly, gaining an edge up front which they enjoyed for a majority of the match, and taking an early lead through a Simon Whatling penalty. 

However, the inevitable errors committed on a day when the wind and driving rain dominated conceded territory to the visitors, and as Worthing set a platform in the Blackheath twenty-two, lock-forward Scott Barlow piled across for the only try of the first period and a 7-3 half-time lead.

Whatling added a second penalty after the break, but as again Worthing looked to cope with the conditions better, the Raiders pack found a mighty drive on 67 minutes for tight-head Joe Burns to cross for another converted try, giving the Sussex club a seemingly unassailable lead.

Blackheath’s kicking had been poor all game, but straight from the re-start, Canty found a high ball that was fumbled in defence giving the full-back time to sprint forward, fly-hack on and win the race to ground the ball across the try-line.

Then, in virtually the only phase of open play in the entire match, Canty again took possession in his own half of the field before breaking two tackles and releasing wing Ben Summers on the right touch-line for the winning score.

SSE National League One takes a break over the festive period with Blackheath’s next match the long trip to the Lancashire coast to face Fylde on 4th January.  A week later the Club return to Rectory Field for their first home fixture of 2014 with the visit of Loughborough Students. 

Blackheath

Tries:   Canty, Summers
Pens: Whatling 2

Worthing Raiders

Tries:   Barlow, Burns
Conv: Govett 2