Saturday 10 November 2012

Blackheath 15 v Rosslyn Park 20

A free Saturday and an opportunity to see Blackheath take on top-of-the-table Rosslyn Park in the rugby National League One. There was a decent crowd of c 1,000 and the weather was kind.

Club made a good start and opened the scoring with a try from Dave Allen (sp) but they missed an easy conversion. After that Rosslyn Park got into gear and showed their quality through superior kicking from hand, a faster tempo as well as an excellent full-back display from Edward Lewis-Pratt. Blackheath's main advantage was upfront where they rolled their maul really well and drove time and again. It was from one of these that the bearded beastie, Des Brett (outdoes Killer) burrowed his way across the line on the stroke of half-time to give Club a precious 12-11 lead.

After the break Rosslyn Park stepped up and Blackheath (Club!) were pegged back for long periods. but they maintained their lead in spite of this and were tantalisingly ahead at 15-14 with ten minutes to go. They couldn't hold on and Park's pressure paid off with two slotted pens to win the game.

Once again I left Rectory Field wondering why they don't promote rugby and their lovely set-up more. I used to know a few of the key movers at Blackheath and, in our Premiership days, suggested they should do a deal with Charlton to offer a "free" pass to Club home games for season ticket holders.  I am sure they would have attracted several hundred new customers to home games. The non-ticket revenue would have made it worthwhile and they could have increased their fanbase in the process. If you do fancy it, it's £12 to get in which includes a decent colour programme. The bar welcomes all and Club's sponsors, Green King IPA, is available in abundant draft.

I took this picture using Pete's phone (forgot mine) and despite the gloom, the match was in full progress in a reasonable light.

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