Blackheath 48 Tynedale 24

An excellent finale to the league season, fast, flowing and open - almost played in a Barbarians style. And full credit must go to Tynedale who demonstrated their intentions as early as the first minute, the visitors spurning an easy three points and opting for the corner instead. The attack led to an early lead too, as Charlie Ingall came off his wing to make the extra man for an opening try, but Blackheath’s response was as impressive as it was productive. With their pack having the decisive edge in the loose, a drive led to space for Richard Lankshear and Ben Ransom to send right-wing Dan Caprice over in the corner, before Ransom, playing in his England U18 position of full-back, started a fine move in his own half of the field which was finished off by scrum-half Ben Ibrahim next to the uprights.

Tynedale’s enterprise brought a try for centre Jack Harrison and a second for Ingall, but sandwiched in between was a Blackheath score for Lankshear, the inside-centre stretching out with the ball after more good work from the Club pack and, combined with some fine goal-kicking from Paul Humphries, gave Blackheath a 24-17 half time lead.

But it was the moments immediately after the interval that put the game beyond doubt. A terrific break from outside-centre, and stand-in Club skipper, Richard Windsor sent flanker Dave Allen over for his 17th try of the season before Humphries’ grubber towards the corner was touched down by Caprice.

Steve Hamilton added a sixth try on 66 minutes after Martin Olima’s break down the left flank (Humphries' excellent conversion from out wide giving the fly-half a personal tally of 18 points in the match and haul of 264 for the season), before Tynedale wing Peter Cole gave late consolation for the visitors.

The win means that Blackheath finish the season just inside the top half of National League One in 8th position. The Club now turn their attention to the seven-a-side game and will compete in the Rosslyn Park Floodlit 7s on Thursday evening and the Bury St Edmunds 7s next Sunday (9th May).

Blackheath Tries: Caprice 2, Ibrahim, Lankshear, Allen (Dave), Hamilton. Conv: Humphries. 6 Pens: Humphries 2. Tynedale Tries: Ingall 2, Harrison (Jack), Cole. Conv: Hall 2