Club XV title winners after 42-42 score-fest with Richmond Vikings
Some exciting news to share with you all! The Blackheath Club XV has triumphed in their league, securing the two points needed on Saturday with an exciting 42-42 draw against Richmond Vikings. They are the winners of The Shield championship title for the season 2024/5 with a playing record of:
- P – 14
- W – 8
- D – 2
- L – 4
This achievement is a testament to their talent, perseverance, and the strong bond they share as a group and together with their first team colleagues. It is one which they will carry forward into next season.
The league they have won is made up of the second teams of Championship, National One and National Two clubs. The competitive nature of the games in this league ensures that our first team have players from the Club XV ready and able to step up. It is important to note that the Club XV train and prepare with the first team. They are one squad, one Club. Credit must go to the coaching team as a whole and to Vinnie Berrington and Henry Wheadon in particular.
In addition to the league programme, the Club XV played a further eight games during the season against good opposition, winning six and losing just two.
Saturday’s game against Richmond Vikings was a terrific advert for both the game and the league. Played in warm and sunny conditions on a firm surface, Blackheath were never behind in a game which saw each side score six converted tries. Despite losing three players to injury, and with only four on the bench, they stayed in this high-stakes game which ebbed and flowed.
Blackheath’s players knew they needed at least a four-try bonus point to secure the title and they achieved that early in the second half. Leading by 7 points going into the last ten minutes a victory seemed in sight, only for Richmond to equalise with five minutes to go. Indeed, a missed last minute drop goal attempt from their number 10 might even have won it for the hosts! The final whistle brought to an end a drawn game with both sides sharing the spoils on the day but with Blackheath taking the big prize.
Highlights of the day on the pitch was the performance of the Blackheath front row of Goodrum, Orubo and Cornish who were outstanding against a very experienced Vikings front row. Daniel Orubo playing at hooker for the first time this season was the Club XV Man of the Match and also bagged himself two tries!
Special mention must go to George Daly who led the side on Saturday and who has been ever-present at scrumhalf the whole season. This was George’s last game for Club, for a while at least, as he is off to study for his PhD at Alabama University in the USA. We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him in a Blackheath shirt upon his return.
Congratulations to our Club XV on a great season!
Blackheath Club XV
Tries: N. Ticehurst, Orubo x 2, G. Daly, Jowett, Goodrum
Conv: Dalrymple x 6
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15 |
KITTO, Oliver |
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14 |
AKPOVWA, Isaiah |
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13 |
LLOYD, Dafydd |
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12 |
JOWETT, Leo |
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11 |
TICEHURST, Laurence |
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10 |
DALRYMPLE, Matt |
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9 |
DALY, George |
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1 |
CORNISH, James |
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2 |
ORUBO, Daniel |
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3 |
GOODRUM, Jed |
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4 |
TARAQ, Reyhan |
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5 |
TICEHURST, Nathaniel |
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6 |
EDWARDS, Joe |
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7 |
KHALIL, Namir |
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8 |
CRAWFORD, Maclaren |
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16 |
GRAHAM, Rhys |
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17 |
GOODWIN, Mike |
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18 |
RILEY, Hayden |
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19 |
STOKES, Ben |
Craig Molloy
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