Mugford wins it at the death as Blackheath take a stumble
PLYMOUTH Albion replacement Daniel Mugford produced a last-gasp winner to snatch victory at Blackheath.
Against the balance of play, Albion wingers Joshua Skelcey and Jordan Gott crossed in the space of three minutes and they held the half-time lead despite Blackheath’s penalty try a minute before the break resulting in a yellow for Cameron Setter.
Fly-half Joseph Tarrant briefly levelled in the 48th minute before Albion scored twice in quick succession once more – Matthew Shepherd and Dean Squire the scorers.
Despite George Davis finishing a great driving maul and second-row Neale Patrick edging the home side in front, Jake Lloyd’s sin-bin turned the tide and Albion used the extra space, built the phases and Mugford scored with the final play of the game.
Winning coach Kieran Hallett said: “I thought it was a real high quality game. It was nip and tuck, but we did enough in the second half to deserve it.
“To go through 20-odd phases from our own half to score in the corner was a brilliant way to finish a good game.”
Blackheath could only eke out three points in the opening 20 minutes, with Tarrant scoring from the 22.
The scoreboard opening sparked the visitors into and Albion scored twice with their first meaningful forays into enemy territory.
Skelcey and Gott’s neat interchange left Blackheath’s full-back isolated, and Skelcey crossed easily.
Gott then added five points of his own after capone italising on a horrendously loose pass from Blackheath’s Mark Cooke.
Another frantic period ensued just before halftime, when a quick Blackheath break, instigated by a wonderful offload from Markus Burcham in midfield, led to a three-onlife situation.
Setter felt he had little option but to concede a penalty try and Blackheath were within two.
The second half produced more entertainment as both sides gave the New Year crowd a clinic in attacking rugby.
Although Blackheath levelled early when Tarrant showed pace to go over in the corner, it seemed as though Albion had taken a decisive ten-point lead, through the lively Shepherd and Squire, as Albion made full use of their spells in the Blackheath half.
However, Blackheath threw caution to the wind and scored just five minutes later through Davis and took the lead when flanker Frederick Owen showed fleet of foot to produce an excellent break and his offload found Neale to score under the posts in the 67th minute.
A nervy last ten minutes from both sides was understandable, but Albion’s Mugford finally struck the decisive blow.
Blackheath’s James Shanahan said: “Credit to Plymouth, I thought they took their chances and were outstanding.
“If we had won it, it would’ve been a get out of jail card, we had too many errors and we forced the first half.
“The best defence in the league and we go and concede five at home - that’s not good enough.”