08-09 season Galleries

Roslyn Park National Colts game : In the words of one of the touch judges during the first half, not champagne rugby, but the second half encampment on the visitors line with an eventual well worked try was impressive. I'm sure others can add more comments.

Roslyn Park National Colts game

In the words of one of the touch judges during the first half, not cha ...

Updated: Dec 09, 2008 11:05pm PST

London Welsh : I missed the first half which may have been a blessing! When I arrived we were down by 20 points but even then it felt like we would win... and we did! Great effort by all on the field some really gritty forward stuff as well as great defence and awesome attacking from deep ~ the final score was just such an attack .. but it wasn’t the only one! It was a bit dark so some of these images aren’t that sharp especially towards the end...

London Welsh

I missed the first half which may have been a blessing! When I arrived ...

Updated: Nov 11, 2008 1:27pm PST

Chipstead : I seem to be in a habit of only seeing parts of games! This one finished early…. just when we were about to dominate…..! The ref had no option – we should be thankful that we had a ref … the game might never have happened! Score 0-5. We were never close to their line in the first half but in what there was of the second half we were hardly out of their half.

Chipstead

I seem to be in a habit of only seeing parts of games! This one finish ...

Updated: Nov 30, 2008 12:25pm PST

Ashford : League match : 31 - 0 ... not a bad start for the league. This was a solid start to the League season with a comprehensive victory against a strong Ashford outfit. What a difference having a full squad of players to select from, including some backs! This was only the second real match of the season for the U18s and they improved upon their performance last week and will continue to improve as they gell as a squad. The pack was efficient and forced the game throughout although the line-out didn’t operate very well in the first half but for a notable steal by Ewan, we lost more on our own throw though. A long range penalty (Bristow) after 6 mins set the tone of the match that Blackheath intended to win the fixture and the first try (Parr) followed 20 mins later from a sniping run from a tap penalty, which was converted (Bristow) to put Blackheath further ahead (10-0). The Ashford defence were playing really well and held Blackheath up over the line on a number of occasions but could do nothing to stop a powerful run by the Blackheath wing (Fortune) after good passing along the back line after the pack had sucked in the cover. Again this was converted (Bristow) to take Blackheath into half-time with a 17-0 lead. The second half started with Ashford storming towards the Blackheath line and it was now Blackheath’s turn to prove how good their defence could be. The immediate pressure was lifted by a controlled drive by the pack finished off by Shea going over and a conversion followed (Bristow) to extend Blackheath’s lead to 24-0 after 39 mins. There followed a further period of play by Ashford that saw them working their way back into the game through their forwards and some incisive running from their backs from deep in their own half showed their intention to compete to the end. During one of these episodes the ball was recovered by Blackheath and an explosive turn of pace in midfield (Pemberton-Hill) saw him running through the back line and scoring from long range. This was converted (from hands by Parr) to take the score to 31-0 where it remained to the end. This was a solid performance by Blackheath with some sparkling moments and great credit to Ashford for playing top-quality rugby throughout despite having a small squad on the day. Next week is away to Westcombe Park (1.00pm kick-off). Match report: Colin Carlin

Ashford : League match

31 - 0 ... not a bad start for the league. This was a solid start to ...

Updated: Dec 09, 2008 4:12pm PST

Canterbury : Blackheath U18s v Canterbury U18s – Sunday 21st December This was a tight match against two well-matched sides both looking to build on previous League wins. Blackheath started well and forced a penalty mid-way into the Canterbury half which was converted (Bristow) for 3-0 lead after 5 mins. Canterbury responded very well and played through the phases to score a well-worked try that was converted to take a 3-10 lead after 11 mins. Blackheath then scored the try of the match with the ball (for once) being played through the hands and finding the left winger (Olonma) who went from within his own half to score a scorching try in the corner, beating a number of defenders on the way. This made the score 8-10 after 21 mins and that remained the score at half-time. In the interim Blackheath had a player yellow-carded for reacting to some aggressive play and played the rest of the first half with 14 men. 5 mins into the second half saw a mistake near the Canterbury line, following excellent foraging by Redmill, which allowed Blackheath to pounce on a loose ball to score under the posts (Shea). This was again converted (Bristow) for Blackheath to regain the lead 15-10. Canterbury continued to push on and Blackheath conceded a penalty just outside the 22 for Canterbury to bring the score back to 15-13 (50 mins). There followed a period where both sides made inroads only for defences to hold sway until another piece of ill-discipline by Blackheath saw a further penalty awarded that enabled Canterbury to regain the lead 15-16. (65 mins). With only a couple of minutes remaining the Blackheath pack got moving forward mid-way into the Canterbury half and a penalty that could see Blackheath regain the lead in the final minutes was conceded just outside the Canterbury 22 metres line. Unfortunately the kick went wide and Canterbury kicked and chased a long ball deep into the Blackheath corner, which forced an error from the retreating winger allowing Canterbury to score a late try which they converted with virtually the last kick of the match for a 15-23 win. A very tight game of high quality which either side could have won and saw the lead change hands 6 times. Congratulations to Canterbury on a fine result. (Report: Colin Carlin Pictures Jerry & Chris Hughes)

Canterbury

Blackheath U18s v Canterbury U18s – Sunday 21st December This was ...

Updated: Dec 22, 2008 4:36pm PST

Folkstone 14-7 : Colin Carlin's match report: A bitterly cold overcast afternoon turned into a more bitterly cold bright and windy afternoon for this League match against Folkestone. Blackheath knew that Folkestone always bring high quality to these encounters and this was again the case with Folkestone attacking from the start of the match with the wind and slope in their favour. Their backs were running good, straight lines and they secured the first score with a try after 13 mins that was converted. 0-7. Blackheath’s pack then started to get the upper hand and with Chris Spedding dominant at the lineout they got their driving maul working to good effect. A succession of drives saw them secure good ball within the Folkestone 22 and the subsequent controlled drive saw Matt Frost score the equalising try on 24 mins. Tom Bristow secured the extra 2 points to bring Blackheath level. 7-7. It continued to be an even match until Folkestone kicked the ball away and Jared Fortune returned the complement running through their defence onto his own kick through to score a try, started from within his own half, on the stroke of half-time. Tom again secured the additional 2 points for Blackheath to go into half-time with a 14 – 7 lead. The second half was again an even contest but Blackheath wasted the opportunity to close out the game when losing possession close to the Folkestone line after having spent 10 minutes camped in the opposition 22. Folkestone kicked the ball clear and there followed a prolonged period of mid-field play with both teams keeping the ball in hand and trying to run the ball through. Blackheath had another opportunity when Emmanuel almost got away from the covering fullback after beating 2 players out wide on his wing but then was stopped. Blackheath’s defence came under some pressure in mid-field in the final minutes of the match but held out to secure another good wing. Folkestone played some strong running rugby and gave Blackheath a stern test but the power and control of the pack saw Club through. It was a slightly disjointed performance, not helped by having to re-shuffle players’ positions prior to kick-off but the result is a good one to keep us on track for the latter stages of the competition. Next up is Sevenoaks on 22nd February 2009.

Folkstone 14-7

Colin Carlin's match report: A bitterly cold overcast afternoon turned ...

Updated: Feb 01, 2009 2:26pm PST

Sevenoaks : This was, as Dave says: the classic "game of two halves"... in the first half we were OK, just about worthy of the 7-7 halftime scoreline. But the second half we were much more dynamic, and scored freely with some cracking running and passing. A treat to watch. Final score: 34-14

Sevenoaks

This was, as Dave says: the classic "game of two halves"... in the fir ...

Updated: Feb 24, 2009 4:38pm PST

Westcombe Park : 13-13 (7-3 ~ I think ~ at half time) This was a tough game with a fair amount of attrition indicating perhaps the level of commitment. Both sides were relatively evenly matched and defending very strongly ~ we hardly left our half at the bottom of the hill in the first half but as Dave has already said the monster tackle that Mayoola made towards the end of the first half ‘was a beaut... totally legal, but bone jarringly hard’ and from that point on they hardly used their backs in an attacking move. I think that was a subtle turning point.... I am really sorry I did not get a picture of it! We defended well in the first half against a variety of their attacking moves but to turn round at half time with only 4 points difference (I think) was very good considering we had to contend with a strongly motivated home side (and supporters), the hill ~ AND a stiff wind. We were much more dominant in all areas in the second half – but still allowed them to score a try following a penalty and the loss of 10metres for backchat. We had a growing confidence, Tom totting up the points, the hill, a try thanks to Wilf with able support from Kent… and the wind, which to be honest we did not use to our advantage. … however we seem to be attracting the mantle of the red rose as far as penalties (and lost 10 metres at least twice) – except we went one stage further with a red card ;-(( Jerry ‘We had our chances, and I reckon we should have won, But "ifs and ands... pots and pans" all that stuff.’ Dave Parr

Westcombe Park

13-13 (7-3 ~ I think ~ at half time) This was a tough game with a fai ...

Updated: Mar 09, 2009 2:34pm PST

Colfe's 10-23 : A tough game against a well organised team. We played some good individual stuff but rarely managed to string anything together, we were constantly being driven off the ball, were often isolated and were a poor second in the lineouts. However there was some good gutsy individual stuff with Josh slicing through to score our first try in the first half and Mayoolua making a scintillating break soon after a lot of hard graft was going on amongst the forwards.... however we were only just ahead at half time. Soon after half time Tom kicked another penalty but the lead was reduced as the home side scored a well worked try from a scrum on our 5 metre line, five minutes before that we managed to get a hand under the ball as they had attempted another driving maul, we were living on scraps .... showing an A for determination and a C for application. 10-13. With Michael Parr off to Lewisham Hospital with a droopy wrist, we regrouped with Leo in at 10 and Tom at 9, changes in the pack also gave us a bit of impetus with fresh legs and we lodged on their line for a few minutes only to be driven back to our own 5 minutes later ~ we were holding on ... but only just. We defended well against another driving maul on our line and as they tried to release their backs Mayoolua was there with a smash and grab to leave everyone in his dust! He must have looked good from the sideline but I had the best spot on Colfeans’ try line (hence rather a lot of pics!). Tom put the icing on the cake with another penalty as Colfe's were lucky not to get another yellow card. The score never looked in doubt from the very beginning ...... honest guv!

Colfe's 10-23

A tough game against a well organised team. We played some good indivi ...

Updated: Apr 19, 2009 12:35pm PST

End of Era Dinner & Awards : The Final Dinner (?until the reunion at Christmas?). What a great night (and a bad head on Saturday)! Thanks for organising everything Colin, (& Dave and John) (and Adam, Jim & Margaret for the other bits!) Thanks to Zoe and the Well Hall staff too... what a shame we didn't move there 12 years ago! Add a comment to the pictures .. it might be fun! As with all of these please copy and paste (double click to select the largest size) if you want to retain images although I am not likely to remove them for a long while.

End of Era Dinner & Awards

The Final Dinner (?until the reunion at Christmas?). What a great ni ...

Updated: May 17, 2009 9:19am PST

The final final :

The final final

Updated: May 10, 2009 11:10pm PST