Barnes 39-39 Club XV

Going into this game with Blackheath a point ahead of Barnes at the top of the table a win would maintain the status quo for both sides.

On a sunny and still afternoon in southwest London, Blackheath were out of the blocks quickly and from broken play opened the scoring with an excellent try from number 8 McLaren Crawford whose mazy run saw him dot down under the posts for a converted try. That it was converted tells another story.

Barnes wasted little time in responding with their own converted try and for most of the remainder of the half both sides traded blows to reach half time at 17-17. Further Blackheath tries by Witchell and full back Owens.

The second half with Blackheath kicking into a gradually setting sun but with the benefit of a slight slope, started where it left off with both sides really going for it.

It seemed that Barnes always had the advantage, and they made that tell by opening Blackheath’s defence particularly at the line-out and taking a 12-point lead.

This was a game still in the balance though and with 15 minutes left Blackheath scored a further 2 tries bringing the scores to 29-27. Game on!

Two further tries from Barnes extended their lead to 39-27 and with just over 5 minutes remaining and with a man in the bin Blackheath were staring down the barrel. What happened next was exceptional with wave after wave of Blackheath pressure resulting in an excellent try from Andrew Denham which, again,  went unconverted. Finally, captain Alex scored under the posts after relentless Blackheath pressure for a rare, converted try which unbelievably levelled the scores.

In a breathtaking final couple of minutes Blackheath looked the only likely winner but Barnes held on for a thrilling draw.

Honours therefore even in a 7 try a piece thriller leaving Blackheath exactly where they had started the afternoon, one point ahead of Barnes at the top of the table!

 

Blackheath tries: MacLaren Crawford, Alex Witchell (3), Charlie Owens, Jed Goodrum, Andrew Denham

Conversions: George Daly, Chris Harris

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