After a welcome break last Saturday we now faced the challenge of playing five of the top six teams in the league. On Saturday we were on the road for the long trip down to South East London playing Blackheath. They were lying sixth in the table and had beaten us 24-36 back in October. However we were confident that we could build on recent positive performances and get a result. Conditions on the day were perfect for open, fast Rugby with a lovely sunny day and a dry firm pitch. It was also a special day for our second row and vice captain Bob Birtwell who was making his 200th national league appearance for the club. A wonderful achievement for a great player and person who always leads by example and was captain on the day. We started well looking to play with territory and possession in their half pressuring the home teams defences at every opportunity. A patient build up of phases varying the play and stretching the Blackheath defence saw the ball moved quickly right to winger Rhys Henderson who beat two defenders and race 40 metres to score the first try. Fly half Warren Seales added the conversion and we were 7-0 up within the first five minutes. Blackheath hit back with a penalty two minutes later to get on the scoreboard 7-3 but we were playing good controlled Rugby and a penalty on 15 minutes was converted by Warren to put us 10-3 up. Our set piece scrum was good with a solid scrum and accurate line out and we won the collisions with dominant carries which gave us a good attacking shape keeping the pressure on the home team. Our next score came from a Blackheath box kick which was collected by fly half Warren who beat two defenders and fed the ball to winger Rhys who ran in for his second try of the afternoon. We were now 15-3 up going into the last fifteen minutes of the half playing with tempo and momentum. Blackheath to their credit came back strongly and a turn over from us saw them drive deep into our twenty two and eventually score in the top right hand corner to put them back in the game 15-8 going into half time. This was a great half of Rugby from the Tigers but we knew that another huge effort was needed in the second period if we were to get the win. Blackheath started the half very strongly driving into our twenty two. They were given a penalty five metres out from our line which they took quickly and scored in the top left hand corner. They added the difficult conversion and were now right back in the game 15-15 with all of the half to go. Despite this we continued to put the pressure on and a penalty gave us possession ten metres out which we drove over and a touch down for second row Will Connor. Warren added the conversion and we now went back into the lead 22-15 after 52 minutes. Ten minutes later we were given a penalty which Warren converted to further extend the lead to 25-15 and possibly looking for the bonus point. However a good line break from Blackheath took play deep into our twenty two. The ball was recycled quickly and a kick pass saw them score in the left hand corner. They added the conversion and were now right back in the game with ten minutes to go. However the game ended 25-22 to the Tigers a well deserved four point victory on the road and a move up the table. A massive performance from the whole squad on the day. Winger Rhys Henderson was given star man for his two tries and what a day for Bob on his 200th game. Well done boys !! Next Saturday we are home to fourth placed Rams which will be another huge challenge so please come down to Park Lane and support your special Tigers team.
Many thanks, Steve Hazz.
