Match Report: PARFC 20 - 19 Blackheath (Nat 1)

Dry conditions with a fresh cool light breeze were to be the order of the day after so many months of rain for Brickfields supporters and players. The change in weather brought a welcome gathering of 1 680 to watch a captivating and entertaining match between Albion and Blackheath (fifth and third in the league respectively prior to kick off). Albion had been comprehensively beaten early in the season 34-3 in the away fixture; the home meeting would be another benchmark to see how far this young new squad had adapted and progressed. The crowd would be well impressed with the way the team performed, particularly in the scrum and line out phases which set the platform for victory. But both teams showed enterprise with ball in hand and there were few errors were on either side.

Referee Veryan Boscawen blew for proceedings to commence with Blackheath kicking off towards the clubhouse end. Albion, in a new kit for the day were keen to put in energy and power from the start. The first 20 minutes was question and answer time, with both teams testing areas under the high ball and were evenly balanced. At the scrum and lineout, it was a different story. First choice front row starters Ollie Dawe and James Penman had been ruled out and so a bit of a worry. Definitely not, Albion were soon shoving Blackheath backwards and penalties were in abundance. Albion’s lineout was a precision affair where Blackheath's was more hit or miss.

Twenty minutes in at scrum time, Albion were in kickable range from a penalty in their favour, but Matt Shepherds kick went slightly wide of the uprights. With no loss of focus, Nile Dacres touched down for Albion four minutes later as a well worked cross field kick ably supported and recycled, came off. This time Shepherd’s kick was straight and true; PARFC 7 – 0 Blackheath.

The visitors then turned up the tempo to camp on Albion's line from the kick off; only denied by good defence and a turnover break from fly half Billy Searle, which just failed to reach Ethan Ford on the wing.

Shortly after the half hour mark, Albion had a lineout in Blackheath's 22. With a catch and drive they managed to get over the line, but the referee ruled to be held up and awarded a scrum five to Blackheath.

They cleared the ball, only for Albion to run back and build up several phases and minutes off the clock to get a penalty with 4 minutes of time remaining. Again, Matt Shepherd converted; PARFC 10 - 0 Blackheath. It looked as though Albion had full control until their attack in the final minutes broke down. Blackheath quickly broke down the East Stand side well supported, and scored a very good try which was duly converted; PARFC 10 - 7 Blackheath at half time.

As the second half got underway, Albion had a scrum on the 10m line in Blackheath territory. Herbie made ground to offload to Jake Murphy who saw a gap, but was stopped just short by a great cover tackle. Five metres out, Albion then got a scrum and after picking and driving crossed close to the posts with Dan Collier's hands on the ball. Once more, Matt Shepherd scooped the extras; PARFC 17 – 7. Blackheath.

At this time, it looked as though Albion were going to start pulling away with the territory and set pieces they were commanding. Not so - Blackheath were not going to roll over, and sure enough straight after the kickoff they were close to Albion's line following a lineout from a penalty. This was initially defended well by the home side, and they got the turnover only for Matt Shepherd to get tackled in the in goal area. At a Blackheath scrum five metres out, quick ball saw Dan Hamilton score an unconverted try in the corner; PARFC 17 - 12 Blackheath.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Cam Setter was short of scoring and Albion won a penalty at the breakdown. But Seti Raumakita was pinged for foul play and the penalty reversed which gave Blackheath the chance to clear their lines.

The visitors then had a great opportunity to score with the fast, elusive running of Dan Hamilton, who raced from his own 22 only to be stopped and put in touch by a certain try-saving tackle by Matt Shepherd (my Man of the Match). Three minutes of normal time remained and Albion were awarded a penalty, again ably kicked by Matt Shepherd; PARFC 20 - 12 Blackheath.

Five minutes of added time was indicated by the referee. With Albion attacking, the ball went loose and Club wingman Tom Chapman broke free to score. The conversion was good which made for a nail-biting final period of play; PARFC 20 - 19 Blackheath.

Albion from the restart took the game to Blackheath's line, only to be penalised for holding on. From the quick tap, the Club made good ground to halfway where another penalty was awarded. The home fans saw a knock on go unnoticed which caused more irritation. From another tap penalty, Dan Pullinger infringed and was shown yellow which served more irritation to the home supporters and this increased further when the original penalty was brought forward ten metres. The home support was very vocal, but the penalty to win the game went slightly wide.

A lot of lessons to be learned from this hard fought win, but a great game of rugby to watch – and a fantastic effort from Club to see the game through to the end.