Opening period flurry enough as Club see off challenge of Caldy

AN EARLY Blackheath four-try blitz proved to be enough as they held off the effort of spirited Caldy.

It completed a hat-trick of wins in eight days for coach James Shanahan.

After Blackheath’s victory last week at Cambridge, Shanahan followed that up by leading Cambridge University to success in the Varsity Match on Thursday.

Nevertheless, the club’s head coach was left with mixed feelings after this latest triumph, achieved thanks to an opening 26 minutes that saw all four of Blackheath’s tries scored, before Caldy fought back to dominate the second period.

“It was fantastic to go 26-3 up in less than half an hour, but it was a bit frustrating thereafter,” said Shanahan.

“You can’t get more than five points, but it would be nice for us to play for 80 minutes.”

Mike Perks was first to cross the try-line, the hooker showing a burst of pace after Josh Davies’ quickly-taken tap penalty set him on his way on three minutes.

Gavin Roberts responded with three points for the visitors straight after, but Leo Fielding’s break down the left flank following scrum ball on the half-way line saw Davies inject the pace, the scrumhalf crossing for a second score.

Markus Burcham ripped ball twice as Caldy conceded numerous turnovers in midfield, and as Fielding again made ground, Danny Herriott drove over from close range.

That was before Tom Stradwick dived over on the blind-side following lineout ball for the bonus point score, Joe Tarrant’s third conversion giving Blackheath a 26-3 advantage.

Nevertheless, it signalled the end of the hosts’

superiority as Caldy came roaring back after halftime.

A break from Caldy second-row Tom Sanders was halted illegally just short of the goal-line and, as Blackheath were temporarily reduced to 14-men, the visitors might have considered themselves unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try as Blackheath infringed again at the ensuing scrum.

The momentum remained with Caldy during the third quarter, though ironically it was only as Blackheath launched a move from their own half that the visitors finally scored a try of their own.

Nick Royle read the home side’s play and interceped a stray pass and raced home from 60 metres on the hour.

Stuart Cross drove over from a tapped penalty for a second converted try on 76 minutes to reduce the deficit even further.

But despite Blackheath finishing the game with thirteen men, a late penalty from Sam Evans ensured no opportunity for any further drama for the home side.