The Blackheath Club XV travelled to Chinnor for this rescheduled league game. Played in perfect weather conditions on a firm surface, you could be forgiven for thinking that this was a Basketball score but in a highly entertaining game the Blackheath second team prevailed by just three points in a 17 try contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.
On just 5 minutes Chinnor scored a fine try down the right which was well converted by their excellent fly-half who combined well with his scrumhalf partner all afternoon. Blackheath were on level terms within minutes with a good try from 18-year-old back row forward Dominic Simpson-Gray and converted by Matt Dalrymple. For the next 20 minutes it looked as though Blackheath were going to run away with it as a succession of converted try’s firstly by Namir Khalil dotting down after a powerful maul was followed by terrific backs try which scored by the impressive young wing, Laurence Ticehurst, He ran in from 35 yards showing the Chinnor defence a clean pair of heels. The good crowd were being treated to some great running rugby and Leo Jowett, at inside centre, scored the first of his three triescarving open the Chinnor defence to score from 30 yards out.
Chinnor responded with another good try which was converted to bring the score to 14-28 before Laurence Ticehurst scored his second with another good burst of speedwhich Matt Dalrymple converted. Chinnor stunned Blackheath with two further converted tries just before half-time and suddenly there was just one score in it at 28-35.
Some harsh words at the break inspired Blackheath who quickly extended their lead with a strong drive from skipper, Ollie Walliker, to make it 28-40 only for Chinnor to cross the whitewash again bringing the score to 35-40. This kind of ‘me-to-you’ rugby may have been fun to watch but would have left the coaches with little to chuckle about as both sides matched each other try for try in a game which at times resembled end of season sevens!
Leo Jowett added to his earlier score with two further fine tries and number 8 Joe Edwards dotted down following a good lineout drive set up by an impressive 50:22 from Matt Dalrymple. With the score at 49-59 and only 5 minutes remaining it seemed all over for Chinnor but Blackheath, not for the first time, contrived to allow them to score a further converted try to make it 56-59 and suddenly it was anyone’s game. From a maul just outside of the Blackheath 22, Chinnor went offside, and the referees whistle brought this crazy 17 try game to an end.
Blackheath largely allowed Chinnor to play unstructured rugby for long periods of the second half which played into their hands and could easily have resulted in a different outcome. Structures are in place for a reason and Blackheath must remember this when they travel to Ampthill on Saturday to take on the second team of another Championship side.
A win is a win though and this bonus point victory keeps the Blackheath Club XV in contention at the top of their league. There were some very good performances especially from the youngster Dominic Simpson-Gray who was Man of the Match, and hat-trick man Leo Jowett together with Laurence Ticehurst who bagged a brace.
Blackheath Club XV
- Tries: Simpson-Gray, Khalil, L. Ticehurst (2), Jowett (3), Walliker, Edwards
- Conversions: Dalrymple (7)
Chinnor Falcons:
- 8 tries and 8 conversions
| 15 | OWENS, Charlie |
| 14 | OLOPADE, Timi |
| 13 | EDEH, Ben |
| 12 | JOWETT, Leo |
| 11 | TICEHURST, Laurence *+ |
| 10 | DALRYMPLE, Matt |
| 9 | GOODWIN, Mike |
| 1 | CORNISH, James |
| 2 | WALLIKER, Ollie (C) |
| 3 | GOODRUM, Jed + |
| 4 | DRENNAN, Anthony |
| 5 | TICEHURST, Nathaniel *+ |
| 6 | KHALIL, Namir + |
| 7 | SIMPSON-GRAY, Dominic |
| 8 | EDWARDS, Joe |
| 16 | GRAHAM, Rhys |
| 17 | MUSA-LUCAS, Aaron |
| 18 | RILEY, Hayden *+ |
* Former Blackheath Junior / Blackheath Bandit
Craig Molloy
LATEST NEWS
