Matt puts gloss on Heath victory

Blackheath …………50 Esher ……………………27

By GRAHAM COX

BLACKHEATH produced some superb handling and great offloading, particularly in a second half, which resembled Sevens rugby at times.

For the traditionalist, however, the control and committed tackling which marked the opening 35 minutes dissipated shortly before the interval, and frantic and loose might describe the rest of the contest.

Auguy Slowik came up into the line to open Blackheath’s account, Tom Ffitch broke a tackle to add a second, before Mike Etete drove across following a line-out for a 19-3 lead, a Sam Morley penalty Esher’s only response.

Tom Baldwin marked his 150th club appearance with some huge carries and great defence, but a yellow card for the Blackheath skipper saw Luke Peters drive across from the tap-penalty, and when Ed Volley intercepted a minute after re-start, Esher were back within two-points.

In a chaotic spell, star man Matt Armstrong found a great offload for Slowik’s second, James Botterill crossed for Esher, and Etete scored his second putting the hosts 33-22 ahead.

Blackheath then added tries from Bill Harding, Jake Lloyd, and Archie Holland, Ben Robbins claiming the try bonus for the visitors.