With these two sides not destined to meet in league competition this coming season, following Richmond’s elevation to the Championship (or ‘Champ’ as we must now call it), it was somehow written in the runes that a pre-season contest would ensue.
In this, the latest instalment of the oldest consistently played fixture in rugby union, it was Blackheath who would come out on top, the Club claiming a convincing five try to two win, and gaining a modicum of payback after their home and away defeats against their old foe which bookended the last National League One campaign.
However, it was Richmond who started the better, scrum-half and skipper Alex Schwarz racing over within two minutes for the opening score, but it was a rare attacking moment for the visitors.
The Surrey side’s penalty count reached twelve prior to the interval (twenty-two in the match), denying them any momentum and, had this been a league match, would have seen them depleted in number for much of the game.
On a more competitive occasion too, Blackheath might have been content to rack up the kicks at goal, but still on the front foot, both former Dorking number-eight Finn Osborne, and tight-head Rory Marsh, picked and drove their way across the try-line for a 14-7 lead at the break.
Richmond again started a half better, as number-eight Sam Pim went under the uprights, full-back Callum Grieve’s second conversion bringing the scores level, but parity would only last four minutes.
As further penalties ensued, Will Davis was next to drive across for Blackheath, and although the hosts did need to marshal some impressive defence for a while, the final quarter saw them fully in control.
With a set-piece functioning smoothly against the big Richmond pack, a mighty drive from ten-metres out saw Osborne, who had fine afternoon alongside Noah Sloot and Josh Smart in the back-row, touch down for a second time.
Luke Pollock, freshly arrived from Cardiff, scored in the corner, while Ed Dunford, who also made the cross-border journey over the summer, saw his conversion attempt strike the upright, the impressive former Aberavon fly-half’s only blemish from ten goal-strikes across two games.
Blackheath host Canterbury on Friday evening in their final dress-rehearsal prior to their opening National League One game at Clifton on 6th September, while the Club XV entertain Medway on Thursday.
Kick off at the Utilita Well Hall on both Thursday and Friday is at 7.45 pm, and entry is free of charge.
Blackheath
Tries: Osborne 8, 64, Marsh 19, Davis 50, Pollock 75
Conv: Dunford 8, 19, 50, 64
Richmond
Tries: Schwarz 2, Pim 46
Conv: Grieve 2, 46
Photos: Nick King — full gallery here
Graham Cox
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