Blackheath 41 v Macclesfield 27.

A sixth bonus point win on the bounce as Blackheath scored six tries to record a first league success over Macclesfield, and overtake the Cheshire side to move into fifth place in SSE National League One.

From the outset, the Club injected pace into their game and built enough pressure at the line-out and set-scrum to build a 21-3 advantage after just 25 minutes.

Number-eight James Catt’s break off the base of a scrum enabled Sam Windsor to send elder brother Richard across for the opening score, before the Club pack turn-over ball for scrum-half Jack Walsh to weave his way over the line for a second try.

Macclesfield responded with a penalty from full-back Ross Winney, but Blackheath skipper and second-row Tom Bason burst through the Blues’ defence and, with Walsh up in support, Mike Canty, who troubled the opposition with a number of useful breaks from full-back, was able to cross under the uprights.

Blues’ right-wing Ed Stobart scored tries either side of the interval to haul Macclesfield back into contention, but further Blackheath pressure led to two Blues men being despatched to the sin-bin and, against a depleted pack, Dave Allen was driven across for the flanker’s 20th try of the season, extending the hosts’ lead to 29-15.

Lee Covington, playing at hooker, crossed after blind-side Richard Pike had bull-dozed his way down the right flank, and although Blues’ flanker Ryan Parkinson scored a converted try to pull Macclesfield back to within twelve points on 70 minutes, turned-over possession saw Catt send lock-forward Ally Vanner across, back-row Matt Owen’s late try securing a consolation bonus point for the visitors.

Next Saturday Blackheath travel to the West Midlands to face Coventry. Kick-off at Butts Park Arena is 3.00 pm and supporters unable to travel to the north-east can get live updates on BBC Radio Kent (96.7FM, 104.2FM, DAB).

Blackheath’s next home game is the re-arranged match against Blaydon which is a 2.00 pm kick-off on Good Friday.

Blackheath Tries: Windsor (Richard), Walsh, Canty, Allen, Covington, Vanner Conv: Windsor (Sam) 4 Pens: Windsor (Sam).

Macclesfield Tries: Stobart 2, Parkinson, Owen Conv: Winney 2 Pens: Winney.