7:18pm Sunday 7th March 2010
Blackheath 39 Blaydon 17
A lively start from the visitors, and a tight opening quarter, but ultimately an emphatic victory for Blackheath.
Indeed had Blaydon centre James Fitzpatrick not knocked-on in the line just after Club full-back Paul Humphries had given Blackheath the lead with a penalty on 22 minutes it might, arguably, have been different. As it was, flanker Dave Allen broke out of defence, Humphries made the incisive break in midfield, before releasing Tyson Lewis, the left-wing racing over for the first try.
But Blackheath were good value for their victory. Their set-piece was vastly superior, particularly the scrum where tight-head prop Des Brett made a welcome return after twelve weeks out with injury, and 18-year old Harry Allen made an impressive debut at hooker. In the loose phases too the Club were dominant as demonstrated when, with Blaydon temporarily down to 14 men, Dave Allen drove over for the second try prior to the interval. Lewis raced home from 40 metres for his 14th try of the season immediately from the re-start and Humphries’ 49th minute penalty extended the hosts’ lead to 25-0, but as Blaydon gained more possession they began to enjoy some ascendancy and test the Blackheath defence. A lightning break from Elliot O’Brien on the hour sent full-back Adam Dehaty over, prop Robbie Kalbraier was driven across for a second try and at the very death lovely hands sent back-rower Paul Vinnicombe in for another score.
Sandwiched in between however were two further Blackheath tries. In the 67th minute a stolen line-out led to a move climaxing with Humphries grounding the ball after his own kick ahead. And shortly before time replacement hooker Jack Knight crashed over after scrum-half Luke Baldwin had taken a quick tap-penalty, keeping Blackheath in command and giving the Club their first win since January.
Scorers: Blackheath Tries: Lewis 2, Allen, Humphries, Knight. Conv: Humphries 3, Staff. Pens: Humphries 2. Blaydon Tries: Dehaty, Kalbraier, Vinnicombe. Conv: Armstrong.
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