Dramatic finale as Club storm back from behind (From News Shopper)

Dramatic finale as Club storm back from behind

6:50pm Sunday 29th January 2012 in Rugby By Graham Cox

Sedgley Park 30 Blackheath 37.

Two tries in the final five minutes saw Blackheath come from behind in dramatic fashion to claim victory in this tightly-fought contest at Park Lane.

Richard Windsor’s early score, when the Club’s inside-centre rounded off a neat backs move, gave the visitors the initial edge, but Sedgley Park’s big pack soon laid the platform for loose-head Dan Birchall to pile over for the hosts In the 35th minute, Dave Allen was driven across for Blackheath’s second try, but once again Sedge responded, this time through scrum-half Will Runciman, and with Tigers’ inside-centre Matt Riley’s more successful goal-kicking, the visitors found themselves trailing by two points at the interval.

Nevertheless, the Club began the second period in total command, quickly setting up camp in Sedgley Park territory. Initially the Tigers’ defence held firm but on 51 minutes the second set-scrum on the hosts’ goal-line saw the ball moved for full-back Mike Canty to send James Stephenson across.

Moments later, the same pair combined again, as Stephenson broke down the left flank before the wing kicked ahead for Canty to touch down for a try which, with Sam Windsor’s conversion, gave Blackheath a ten-point advantage.

But the lead was short-lived. Straight from the re-start the visitors conceded a penalty for Riley to narrow the gap, and soon after the inside-centre was levelling the scores with an easy conversion after fellow centre Chris Parrott pierced the Club’s defence.

Then, with just ten minutes remaining, Sedge gained an attacking line-out and as the Tigers pack drove towards the try-line, flanker Adam Lewis broke blind to cross and give the Lancastrians a five-point lead.

But for the third time in the match, the Club struck back and this time decisively.

A fine kick from scrum-half Ben Ibrahim forced Sedge into conceding a close-range line-out from which Allen was driven over for second time in the match (the open-side’s 16th try of the season) to level the contest once more. And then in the final play of the match, quick ball was moved off the base of a scrum along the three-quarter line and Canty’s final pass sent Stephenson racing across for the winner.

SSE National League One takes a break next Saturday with start of the Six Nations. Blackheath’s next league match sees them take on Blaydon at Rectory Field on Saturday 11th February, kick-off 3.00 pm.

Sedgley Park Tries: Birchall, Runciman, Parrott (Chris), Lewis Conv: Riley 2 Pens: Riley 2.

Blackheath Tries: Windsor (Richard), Allen 2, Stephenson 2, Canty Conv: Windsor (Sam), Armstrong, Pens: Windsor (Sam).