What an extraordinary day for Blackheath Rugby. Saturday saw our magnificent First XV win for the twelfth match in succession, equalling a club record and, more importantly, gain promotion back to Level 2 of English rugby for the first time in 27 years. A crowd of over 2,000 spectators witnessed a brilliant performance by the team to beat London Scottish 27 – 7.
Let’s talk about the crowd.
For an away match, there was an incredible level of support for the boys. Granted, it’s a relatively short journey across to south-west London, but we had support from across all sections of the Club and across the membership. We also had plenty of support from other Kent clubs who made the journey and, to be frank, Blackheath fans made up the vast majority of the crowd. The size of the roar that greeted the team when they ran onto the pitch was enormous and will live long in the memory of all those who were there. If ever a crowd could lift a team, then Saturday was the day. A big thank you to everyone who attended the match and gave such fantastic support.
The boys did not let us down and scored three great tries to take a commanding 21 – 0 half-time lead. Credit to London Scottish, who never gave up and challenged Blackheath throughout the game. But it was a day for those in Red and Black and the team continued the skilful attacking play and wholehearted defence we have seen on numerous occasions this season to secure an historic win and a place in the Champ for next season.
By any measurement, it has been a tremendously successful season. On behalf of the Executive Committee and the whole club and its supporters, we must thank Tom Stradwick and his coaching team, and Billy Harding and the whole squad of players for their fantastic efforts. Week after week of training and development, followed by performances on a Saturday against some very tough teams across the country, have led to a winning run over the last three months that has proved to be unbeatable.
We must also thank the medical team for their terrific support of the players across the season and, of course, the volunteers around the squad who literally keep the show on the road and the kit clean and pristine. Not forgetting all those who help and support this wonderful club, whether it’s producing creative and interesting content, preparing and tending the pitch or cleaning the changing rooms, everyone has played an important role to make this season so successful, culminating in the result on Saturday. “One Club One Family” is our mantra and we saw it on Saturday, as everyone worked together to give the First XV such huge support.
And it does not stop there. Across the Club we have experienced success in the Men’s section (the Brigands winning their league and gaining promotion, the Bandits runners up in their league, and the Vets winning the Kent Shield), as well as across the age groups both in the Minis and Juniors.
We now look forward to next season and preparation for life in the Champ as well as undertaking some improvements across our facilities. In June, a new drainage system will be fitted for the grass football pitches which will improve the playing surface and the overall recovery of the pitches during the winter season. The All-Weather pitch will be re-surfaced to a standard where we will be able to play competitive rugby on it, and various mini projects will be undertaken on Pitch 1 and its surrounding areas including an upgrade to the floodlights overlooking the pitch. There will be several volunteer days to work on general maintenance and the summer repairs that need to happen to ensure the ground and facilities continue to make steady improvements – please offer your services with a few hours on these volunteer days as every pair of hands offered makes a positive difference: 27 June, 18 July and 8 August, 10:00-13:30.
The 2025/26 season has finally reached its conclusion. It has created wonderful experiences and will live long in the memory as possibly one of our greatest ever seasons. We are sure that our forefathers, who created this historic rugby club 168 years ago, will be smiling on the success of this season. Let’s enjoy the summer, re-charge the batteries and look forward to an exciting new season starting in September.
Have a great summer.
C’mon Club!!
The Executive Committee
Blackheath Rugby
26 May 2026
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