London Scottish 13 Blackheath 20

A famous victory and an exhilarating start to the new National League One season for Blackheath.

The Club arrived at the Athletic Ground in Richmond in the sure knowledge that London Scottish, now fully professional, had set their sights on bettering their runners-up finish last term and winning promotion to the Championship.

Indeed there were periods, early in each half, where you felt the Scots would cut loose.

But in the end they only managed to penetrate a well-drilled Club defence on one occasion, when number-eight and former All Black, Sam Harding, was muscled over on 49 minutes, and Blackheath's demonstration of confidence, most notably from young debutants Jack Walsh and James Stephenson, allied to a solid line-out, gave them the perfect platform.

And what a climax the crowd approaching 1500 were treated to.

Harry Allen's try on 21 minutes, when the Club hooker burst away from a ruck to cross the line from 20 metres, gave the visitors a half-time advantage, but the boot of Exiles' full-back Frankie Neale kept the hosts in touch, and Harding's try gave the Scots a 13-8 lead.

Both tries came when the opposition had a player in the sin-bin, but it was while Blackheath were temporarily reduced to 13-men that the crucial moment arrived.

Instead of stretching away, a mistake in the Scots' defence led to a turnover for Club open-side Dave Allen and Walsh, arriving in support, sent Australian centre Sam Windsor racing across in the corner for the equalising score on 55 minutes.

A draw would have suited many, but Blackheath were oozing confidence now and looked to have the greater initiative.

Wing Tyson Lewis was denied by a foot in touch, but in added time England U18 full-back Ben Ransom made a break from deep in defence.

Lewis made a delightful off-load for Ransom to regain possession and break the defence before Stephenson linked with number-eight Dave Tait to send centre Sean Moan over for a dramatic winner.

Next Saturday Blackheath host Rosslyn Park in their opening home game of the season at Rectory Field. The kick-off is 3.00 pm, admission is £12 including programme (entry free for U16s).

Scorers:

London Scottish Tries: Harding.

Conv: Neale.

Pens: Neale 2.

Blackheath Tries: Allen (Harry), Windsor (Sam), Moan.

Conv: Windsor (Sam).

Pens: Windsor (Sam).