Barking 34 Blackheath 22

A spirited second half fight-back from Blackheath, but only after four tries from the hosts in the second quarter had stamped Barking’s authority on the contest.

Boasting a wealth of young talent, the East London side have gone unbeaten so far this term to lead National League One, but it took a more evergreen player to break the deadlock in this contest.

Barking have benefited hugely from the influence and experience of Kevin Sorrell, and it was the former Saracen who opened up the Blackheath defence with absolute class in the 20th and 29th minutes.

First, a close-range scrum set the platform from which the ball was moved wide and the inside-centre weaved a gorgeous line to go under the uprights.

Then a line-out move straight off the training ground saw flanker Anthony Andrews win clean ball before the 33-year old sped through a gaping hole in the Club midfield for his second.

Sandwiched in between was an interception try for outside-centre Scott Alfeld after a suicidal pass from Blackheath in their own twenty-two, and when blind-side James Ngan was adjudged to have cleanly touched down after fly-half Harry Owens’ well-judged cross-field kick in the 33rd minute, Barking had their foot firmly on the throttle.

Many sides may have caved in at that point but Blackheath’s response was positive.

The early loss of second-row Ally Vanner hampered the line-out but, fortified by the introduction of replacement James Cleverly in the front-row, the visitors rallied.

A charging break from the replacement loose-head gained good field position and, choosing the scrum option, great work around the fringes led to tries for open-side Dave Allen and number-eight Ledua Jope in the 54th and 60th minutes.

Cleverly himself piled over for a deserved consolation effort at the very death, but by that time Barking full-back Adam Armstrong had slotted two penalties in the 66th and 70th minutes to put the hosts beyond reach.

Blackheath’s last league fixture of 2010 is another London derby when they travel to Priory Lane next Saturday to take on Rosslyn Park, KO 3.00 pm.

Barking Tries: Sorrell 2, Alfeld, Ngan. Conv: Armstrong 4. Pens: Armstrong 2

Blackheath Tries: Allen (Dave), Jope, Cleverly. Conv: Windsor (Sam), Vaughan. Pens: Humphries