THE records will show that Blackheath lost their National League 3 South match at Tabard on Sunday, but what it won't show is the crucial refereeing decision that robbed Club of a victory.

Following good play between centres Dave FitzGerald and Gary Dutton, Charlie Abban went in under the posts and Jon Griffin converted to give Blackheath a seven-point lead.

Griffin then kicked a penalty to give Club a 10-0 half-time lead. But after the break the Hertfordshire side "turned" a scrum near the Blackheath line and scored a try through Dallas Adams.

Although they missed the conversion, Tabard were given a lift and Adams went in for another five-pointer when a handling offence in a maul went unnoticed by the ref.

Skinner missed the conversion but he soon made up for it by kicking a penalty to tie the scores at 13-all.

Club's Dom Walsh was then sin-bnned and from the resulting penalty Skinner put Tabard 16-13 up .... and then came the drama.

Harvey Bljon took a quick line-out ad Dave Glendenning powered over for the referee to blow for full time even though the ball was still "alive".

Biljon said: "I took a quick throw-in and Dave scored. It was a perfectly good try and the touch-judge agreed with me, but not the referee."

This Saturday, Blackheath entertain Old Patesians at the Rectory Field, kick-off 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, Old Colfeians gave Cinderford a 37-18 hiding at Horn Park.

Although Cinderford dominated the early line-outs, in open play Colfes were too good and went into the break 10-3 ahead thanks to a converted try from acting skipper Andy Baker

Left-winer Mark Jarrett went over five minutes after the break and Townsend kicked shis seocnd conversion to put Colfes 17-3 ahead before the visitors scored an uncoverted try of their own to reduce the deficit.

A Townsend penalty was soon followed by another Cinderford try, but Colfes upped the tempo and Mark Jarrett went in for a try which Townsend converted.

Lock Danny Sargent and left-centre Dave Edwards then scored late tries as Colfes extended their margin to 37-18.

On Saturday, Colfes visit Redruth, kick-off 2.15pm.

An injury-time try by Grant Parker, his second in two matches against the same opponents, ensured that Charlton Park defeated Tonbridge Juddians 32-22.

Park's other try-scorers were Sam Naden, who got two including one dazzling second-half effort, Neil Smith and Dave Hazleton.

After this last game of the first round of matches in Kent One, Old Brockleians are still without a point, this time losing 19-16 to Parkhouse. It was Brocks' sixth defeat by just one score this season. Rick Jones went over for two tries, while Michael Peart kicked two penalties for Brocks.

December 11, 2001 13:18