For the fourth time this season, Blackheath managed to concede a score in the closing moments of a match to allow victory to slip from their grasp.
Having overturned a 12-point deficit to be leading 22-17, and with the clock nearing the red, a scrum penalty enabled Plymouth Albion to kick for touch 18-metres from the Club goal-line. The hosts lineout had faltered in the strong breeze, but this time they secured the ball, before launching a nuclear-powered drive for prop Harry Wilkinson to touch down.
Fly-half Tom Putts slotted the easy conversion, to complete an immaculate kicking display, and Brickfields exploded with delight at an important win for the Devonians.
Bitter disappointment for Blackheath who now drop to 12th place in National League One.
The Club had the perfect start to the contest as Jake Hennessey’s grubber-kick through the Albion defence was grounded by Nick Foster for a 5-0 lead on three minutes.
Short-lived, however, as soon Albion were driving hooker Jamie Salter across, and with scrum-half Henry Clement finishing off a fine handling move for a second converted try in the 13th minute, the hosts were soon into a 14-5 lead.
Blackheath went through the phases, and Markus Burcham and Marcus Kershaw made inroads while, gaining in confidence at the other end, Albion sent two kickable penalties to touch.
The lineouts faltered, but the next time, Putts settled for the three points, and the hosts finished the opening period 17-5 ahead.
Hennessey missed with two strikes early in the second half, but was successful in the 53rd minute as the Club’s fortunes turned with George Spencer intercepting and running 60-metres to score.
The outside-centre added his second three minutes later, timing his run to perfection to take Dan Hiscocks neat pass, after Burcham had made more ground and Dom McGeekie stayed strong in the tackle, Hennessey’s conversion taking them into the lead.
The Club fly-half added a penalty for a no arms tackle, and with four minutes remaining, and defending solidly with Hennessey and Daniel Dass brave under the high ball, the visitors had the win in their sights.
A tight game will often hinge on a single decision, and with Blackheath deemed guilty of the scrum collapse on their own put-in with the seconds ticking away, the ball went to touch, the drive launched, and Albion had won.
Next Saturday Blackheath host Leeds Tykes in a game that is increasing in importance. Kick-off at Well Hall is at 3.00 pm
Plymouth Albion
Tries: Salter 9, Clements 13, Wilkinson 80
Conv: Putt 9, 13, 80
Pens: Putt 38
Blackheath
Tries: Foster 3, Spencer 53, 56
Conv: Hennessey 53, 56
Pens: Hennessey 76
Blackheath Team
15 . Nick Foster
14 . Jake Lloyd
13 . George Spencer
12 . Markus Burcham
11 . Marcus Kershaw
10 . Jake Hennessey
9 . Dan Hiscocks
1 . Tom Williams
2 . Nathan Morris
3 . Matt Collins
4 . Dom McGeekie
5 . Ed Taylor (Capt)
6 . Harry Dugmore
7 . Freddie Owen
8 . Harry Holland
16 . Ollie Walliker
17 . Andrew Boye
18 . Daniel Dass
19 . Ollie Claxton
20 . Sam Kennaugh
Graham Cox
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