Tomorrow we celebrate Jake Lloyd’s 200th appearance for the Blackheath 1st XV. He made his debut in February 2015 against Esher when he scored his first try for the Club and, in his 200 matches for Blackheath Rugby, Jake has scored 106 tries for the Club.
In the curtailed season before lockdown, Jake notched up 19 tries and was the leading try scorer in National 1; his best season has been 2022-23, where he scored 21 tries, including his 100th try at Westcliffe, and ended up as the 3rd top try scorer in National 2 East – something our Club Captain hopes will rub off on him! “To reach 200 games for a club is an absolutely incredible achievement,” says Ed Taylor. “It sums Jakey up completely. It takes loyalty, dedication, consistency and unwavering commitment on and off the pitch in order to achieve that. Jake is a club legend and it’s been a pleasure to play alongside him. Just wish he would have gifted me a couple more of his tries! Congrats Jakey!”
Jake has not only scored 106 tries for the Club, but he was selected to go on the England Counties Tour to Romania in 2018 by Head Coach James Shanahan, where he played in both matches against Romania A and scored three tries across those matches too.
Of his Blackheath Rugby career, Shanners says “The silent assassin – since I arrived Lloydy has been a big part of the squad. Always one of the first names on the team sheet. A prolific try scorer, and a big powerful winger. Since I’ve been at Blackheath Rugby he has passed 100, 150 and now 200 games, showing his commitment but, more importantly, his consistency in performance. Quiet on and off the field but a deadly finisher. It’s great to see milestones like this. In my my time I’ve been lucky enough to see Burch and Strads hit 200 games now we add another in Jake. It’s a great achievement and fully deserved.”
A sentiment that is echoed by Russell Ticehurst, Managing Director at Blackheath Rugby, who says “It’s always great to see players sticking with their chosen club and it’s fantastic to see them turning out season in season out. What’s been so impressive has been Jake Lloyd’s consistency since starting at Blackheath in 2015. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet, he brings his power, pace and ability to finish at key times in many key games. Tomorrow represents a huge moment in his career at Blackheath as he puts on the Red and Black for the 200th time. For a player to reach this milestone at all is truly a tremendous achievement, but to do that at one club is very special indeed. It shows commitment yes, loyalty yes, and a level of desire that many don’t appreciate or understand. I am delighted to congratulate Jake Lloyd on his 200th appearance tomorrow and look forward to watching him run out against Plymouth and enjoying his day. A truly outstanding effort and I hope he has a great day”
Jake is an integral member of the squad, both on and off the pitch. Markus Burcham, Jake’s team mate and friend, says “It feels crazy to be writing a piece about Jake’s 200th game, it’s making me feel old as I can still clearly remember his first game at the Rectory Field against Esher in 2014-15!
“When he first joined the club he was a physical specimen, much like he is today, but he was very raw and hadn’t played much men’s rugby so was finding his feet within the squad. I think the 2015/16 season was where he started to get picked regularly and grew into his role in the team. Since then he’s been without doubt one of the most consistent performers for the club that I can remember, he is extremely tough and durable and barely misses a game, and he’s added so many strings to his bow in terms of his all round rugby ability.
“As a centre I know if I give him the ball he will make something happen, be it a big carry through heavy traffic, or showing quick feet to get on the outside of a defender and finish in the corner. Defensively I know my outside shoulder is looked after, he doesn’t need a second invite to go looking for work, and is someone the team can rely on.
“Quite a nice story for us in that I remember passing him the ball for his first try (in his first game) and also doing the same for his 100th try last year. To score 100 tries for any club is a phenomenal achievement, and I think it’s just one of the examples of what a smashing career he’s had at Blackheath.
“Not only a wonderful rugby player but an even better bloke, he’s quiet, shy and humble but has a brilliant sense of humour and we’ve become great friends in our time at the club.”
A great bloke, indeed, and one who’s as popular with the Club members as he is with the squad, having won Supporters’ Player of the Year in the 2021/22 season. Some memories of Jake’s Club career so far can be found on our YouTube channel.
We’d like to congratulate Jake on his bicentenary, and look forward to seeing him play tomorrow, and on many more occasions in the future.
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