WHEN Blackheath played away to Harrogate in National League 2 earlier in the season, Club scored three tries in the opening few minutes on their way to a 26-14 victory.

Although Blackheath took a second-minute lead in Saturday's return fixture at The Rectory Field through Steve McCashin's penalty, it was the Yorkshiremen who gained the early initiative and looked a completely different side from two months ago.

The first of their tries came in the seventh minute when No.8 Wiri Raihania took the home defence by surprise to score on the right, with full-back Lee Cholewa converting with what was to be his only successful kick of the game to make it 7-3.

Harogate then increased their lead five minutes later with a try by winger Paul Clayton.

For the last few games, Club have not been getting into the action in the first-half and Saturday was no exception, although McCashin did land another penalty midway through the half to cut the deficit to 12-6.

Blackheath then had two forwards Des Brett and Ken Aseme sin-binned in the space of four minutes, and Harrogate took advantage to increase their lead with another score by Raihania after an attacking scrum which led to a pushover try.

Club finished the half in great style and their 13 men were unlucky not to be rewarded with a penalty try and had to settle for a kick, which McCashin landed to cut Harrogate's lead to 17-9 at the interval.

After the break with Brett back on the field, it was he who went over for a try to leave Club trailing by just one point.

There was renewed confidence and a different attitude when McCashin slotted over another penalty to give Club the lead.

However, their joy was shortlived and after another McCashin penalty had come back off the post, Harrogate gathered the loose ball and raced away with winger James Tapster evading would-be tacklers to score a try in the corner to give his side a 22-19 lead.

Blackheath laid siege to the Harrogate line in the closing stages but could not force a winning score, leaving Club's Alex Natera to comment: "It was a terrible result. We lost it in the opening minutes and must tighten up or we're going to have problems."

Blackheath face a big game this Saturday when they travel to Esher, who are just below them in the table.