No bonus point, but a fine win for Blackheath, who kept hold of a lead built by Billy Harding’s first half brace to defeat Rams, and in so doing retained third position in National League One.
The Club established an early grip, before moving clear and defending resolutely to limit a dangerous Rams side to no more than a consolation try in the closing stages, despite playing the last half-hour with depleted numbers.
It took just three minutes for the hosts to take the lead.
In a game littered with penalties from both sides, two early infringements from the visitors conceded ground, and as Ed Scragg took lineout ball and Noah Sloot made a dent, Harding crashed through the Rams defence, and under the uprights, for the first try.
Not much would go right for Rams. As they went through the phases, twice they were turned over in attacking positions, possession was lost forward in the maul, and another lineout opportunity was wasted when the ball failed to go the five-metres.
Conversely, a short lineout for Blackheath saw Archie Smeaton, outstanding once again at number-eight, take possession and set the ruck on the goal-line, before Harding moved blind for the hooker’s second score, his 37th of the season, Sam Morley adding his second conversion for a 14-0 lead at the break.
Josh Smart took ball at the back of the lineout soon after the re-start, and as play moved across field, with Raff Hollister, Fin O’Sullivan and Tom Hughes all probing, Sloot slid over in the right corner.
Morley added a fine conversion, and Sloot looked to have a clear run-in for second try, only for a mix-up to pull play back for a Rams knock-on, but the red card for Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas for an off-the-ball stray elbow took away the Club’s momentum.
Nevertheless, under pressure, Blackheath’s work-rate in defence, combined with three lineout steals, including one courtesy of the brilliant Scragg after Rams had achieved a 50:22, held firm.
Even when a yellow card reduced Blackheath to 13-men in the closing stages, the Club’s commitment was demonstrated by Morley’s tap-tackle, stopping a certain try for Rams’ Rowan Gundy, and it took the Berkshire side until the 76th minute to break through, flanker Harry Stone’s late score proving no more than consolation.
‘Rams are very dangerous in attack, very ball-movement focussed going edge to edge, and we knew we’d have to go double-tackles at every opportunity to stop the off-loads which is a big part of their game,’ said Blackheath head coach Tom Stradwick.
‘Our work in defence gave us the platform for field position, and a we left a couple of scores out there in the first period, conceding a couple of penalties in attack.’
‘However, after the third try I thought Rams were going to crack and we would push on, but it was a bit of our own undoing and, fair play to Rams, they do what they do, which is apply loads of pressure.’
‘Massive credit though must go to our boys for only conceding five points.’
Blackheath head to Devon next Saturday to take on second-placed Plymouth Albion at Brickfields, before returning to The Utilita Well Hall a fortnight later for the visit of league-leaders Rotherham.
Both matches kick-off at 3.00 pm.
Blackheath
Tries: Harding 3, 33, Sloot 43
Conv: Morley 3, 33, 43
Rams
Tries: Stone 76
Attendance 431
| 15 | . | Ed Dunford |
| 14 | . | Tom Hughes |
| 13 | . | Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas |
| 12 | . | Raff Hollister |
| 11 | . | Jake Hennessey |
| 10 | . | Sam Morley |
| 9 | . | Jake Burns |
| 1 | . | Archie Holland |
| 2 | . | Billy Harding (Capt) |
| 3 | . | Rory Marsh |
| 4 | . | Fin O’Sullivan |
| 5 | Ed Scragg | |
| 6 | . | Josh Smart |
| 7 | . | Noah Sloot |
| 8 | . | Archie Smeaton |
| 16 | . | Archie Bourne |
| 17 | . | James Cornish |
| 18 | . | Finn Osborne |
| 19 | . | Tom Emery |
| 20 | . | Kyle McGhie |
Photos: Nick King
Graham Cox