BLACKHEATH RFC 29 v DMPRFC 27

Although the result was in the balance up until the final whistle, the Londoners may have just deserved to shave it on the day.

Leading at the break the visitors were hampered by the sin-binning of flanker Jack ALLCOCK, as whilst he was off the field for the statutory 10 minutes, the home side took full advantage.

It was Blackheath who registered with the first try, scoring out wide via their fullback (5 - 0), then following it up with another from a mazy run from their debutant wing (10 - 0) which was converted (12 - 0).

DMPRFC responded with penalty from Grant CONNON (12 - 3), before fullback Henry ROBINSON crossed from a clever move after a midfield scrum (12 - 8),

Centre Tom HODGSON gathered a bouncing ball from a mistake in the home defence to go over for the score (12 - 13), which Grant CONNON also converted (12 - 15) and at oranges, the visitors were slightly ahead.

AAfter 4 minutes of resumption of play, Blackheath RFC regined the lead, which they never relinquished from that point on, with the home debutant winger scoring his second try (17 - 15).

Blackheath added another in the same period of the sin-binning, this time the try being scored by a home flanker (22 - 15), which was converted (24 - 15).

DMPRFC struck back when debutant wing Malakai WACOKECOKE scored after intricate play by the backs (24 - 20). CONNON supplying the afters (24 - 22).

Blackheath looked to have put the game beyond doubt with another try from another debutant replacement back (29 - 22), however, at the death, DMPRFC winger Ben RATH scored a trademark try from long distance (29 - 27) to leave the scoreagonisingly close before the final whistle.

Nevertheless, with 4 games remaining in the league programme, the 2 bonus points accrued, assured National One rugby next season for DMPRFC, which is a tremendous achievement in their first season at this level.