Blackheath against Rosslyn Park is always a special match, their rivalry going back nearly 150 years, but for one player in particular, this weekend’s meeting will hold extra significance.
Jack Daly will run out onto the Utilita Well Hall pitch to make his 100th appearance in Club colours, a landmark achieved in a smidgeon over five seasons, a tribute to the scrum-half’s consistency and fitness.
And as head of rugby at USP College in Benfleet, Jack lives, eats and breathes rugby union.
“My father (Paul) played for Southend RFC and coached for various clubs in Essex, so it was inevitable I would pick up a rugby ball,” said Jack. “Coopers School in Upminster had a good rugby set-up and reaching the semi-final of the national then ‘Daily Mail Cup’ on two occasions remain some of my fondest memories.”
Jack had a stint with Wasps Academy before, aged seventeen, spending six months playing for North Otago in New Zealand.
Like his father, Jack played for Southend, before joining Cambridge, but it was at Old Albanian that he first linked up with current Blackheath Director of Rugby James Shanahan. After two seasons and 46 league appearances for the Hertfordshire club, Jack decided, like many of his then team mates, to follow his former coach to south-east London, making his Blackheath debut in the 36-7 win at Esher at the start of the 2018/19 season.
“We played our then–nearest rivals Old Elthamian away just before Christmas that season in front of over two-thousand people. It was a tight game which we edged 12-11 to go top of National League One, though sadly we couldn’t keep up the momentum in the New Year,” says Jack.
“The win last season against eventual champions Chinnor was also a very special as I able to share it with my brother George (also a scrum-half, who joined Blackheath in 2022).”
Looking at the current season, Jack says “On paper this is the strongest Blackheath team I’ve been involved with. It may take a little time to really gel, but I’m optimistic there are some more big moments to come.”
Other highlights for Jack include three caps for England Counties, including a tour to Georgia, but probably the most important event occurred in May when Jack and wife Kat (a former midwife who now works in the pharmaceutical industry) brought son Grayson into the world.
When Jack does escape rugby, and the joys of nappy changing, he enjoys playing golf and the occasional road trip on his motorbike (when Kat allows!), but for now his focus will be on the big game this weekend.
“Jack has been outstanding for me throughout the time I’ve coached him, especially at Blackheath,” said Shanahan. “He’s a consistent eight out of ten player. He’s brave defensively, got a great kick game, fast to the breakdown – he’s in and out. Touch wood, he’s always fit – keen to improve, keen to learn, and a great guy off the field as well as on it.”
Shanners goes on to say “I think Jack’s a huge credit to himself, and the 100th game for Blackheath, an historic club, is fantastic. I’m really happy for him and very proud of him, and hopefully he’ll be around for another couple of seasons yet.”
Some memories of Jack’s career so far can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
Congratulations, Jack!
Blackheath against Rosslyn Park is a 3.00 pm kick-off at The Utilita in Kidbrooke Lane on Saturday and entry is £15 in advance and £20 on the gate.
#blackheathrugby #blackheathfc #club #loveit #blackheath #greenwich #eltham #clubman #centenarygame #100caps
LATEST NEWS
