Mugford’s miss proves costly as controversy mars cracker
BLACKHEATH made it two from two on the road this season with victory over Plymouth Albion in a game that finished in far from satisfactory circumstances.
With the match deep in stoppage time Plymouth, trailing by six points, had a series of scrums in front of the Blackheath posts.
When Plymouth shunted Blackheath backwards for a third time, many thought they were going to be awarded a penalty try but instead referee Collins sin binned visiting prop Tom Williams.
At that point Blackheath’s other prop Danny Herriott left the field holding his shoulder and the referee had no choice but to rule that the last scrum of the game would be uncontested.
From the scrum Plymouth put full-back Matt Shepherd over in the corner for a try that replacement Dan Mugford was unable to convert from the touchline.
Blackheath head coach James Shanahan said, “I’m happy with our guys and the win. We made six or seven line breaks and didn’t convert any of them.”
When asked about the controversial conclusion to the game Shanahan commented, “We lost a prop with a shoulder injury but at this level we should have a match day squad of 22, which would include two props. Each week I’m having to take players off through fatigue.”
Plymouth head coach Kieran Hallett said: “There are a lot of words I could use about the end of the game but they would get me into trouble.
“The referee should have awarded us a penalty try but overall we weren’t good enough individually and collectively.
“Our mistakes put us under pressure and our line out just didn’t function.”
In perfect playing conditions at Brickfields, Blackheath missed an early chance to take the lead when full back Elliott Clements-Hill was wide with a long-range penalty.
On their first visit to Blackheath’s 22, Plymouth took the lead when quick hands gave flanker Dan Swain the chance to cross
in the corner.
With his second kick at goal Clements- Hill opened the visitors account when he put over a 35-metre kick after Plymouth were penalised for collapsing a scrum.
Clements-Hill was wide with another long-range penalty before Plymouth added a second try.
When awarded a penalty in front of the posts Plymouth opted for a scrum and when the ball was put wide centre Dean Squire strolled over in the corner.
Full-back Matt Shepherd converted with a fine kick from wide out, which sent Plymouth into the interval leading 12-3.
Clements–Hill kicked an early penalty in the second half before Plymouth went down to 14 when skipper Herbie Stupple was yellow carded.
Replacement Joe Tarrant kicked the resultant penalty before Herriott crashed over with Tarrant adding the extras.
Mugford slotted a penalty for Plymouth before visiting wing Jake Lloyd crossed in the corner before the game finished the way it did.