Braving the elements, a crowd numbering just under one thousand witnessed a controlled, disciplined performance by Blackheath who ended comfortable winners against luckless Canterbury in a match dominated by the conditions. With the almost-relentless rain in the build-up, and frequent showers throughout, it was inevitable this contest would be a forward battle and, indeed, all four of the first half …

A finish befitting a game between two closely matched rivals, with Blackheath recovering from an 18-point deficit, scoring two tries in the final quarter to be within touching distance with seven minutes to play. The game ended with the ball over the opposition goal-line but, adjudged held up, and Elthamians could celebrate victory. For the most part though, Elthamians held …

It’s very hard to compete for 78 minutes against a broadly equally-matched opponent with a man short, but in that sense, the fourteen men (or nineteen if you like) of Blackheath cannot be faulted for the effort and energy they showed in this ultimately disappointing and unsatisfying contest. In the end, however, the weight of numbers overcame them, and Darlington …