Blackheath 19 v 6 Nuneaton

Rugby Union National League Two

BLACKHEATH got their season off to a winning start at the Rectory Field defeating newly-promoted Nuneaton, writes Jack Kay.

On a dull, overcast autumnal day with a strong wind blowing across the pitch the visitors kicked off and were almost on the scoreboard immediately but their drop goal attempt drifted wide.

Nuneaton controlled the opening 15 minutes however Blackheath, known as Club, opened the scoring with their first attack of the game in the 20th minute with a Matt Vaughan penalty.

The scores were level three minutes later when Cull kicked a Nuneaton penalty between the posts.

It was to be the story of penalties shared as further kicks from Vaughan and Cull saw the score level at 6-6 come the break.

Blackheath were a different proposition in the second half and soon got their first try of the match and the season.

Harvey Biljon picked a ball from a scrum and forced his way over the line on the right but the extra points were missed as Vaughan's kick fell short.

Moments later Matt Webber scored his debut try for Club with a push over following three consecutive line-outs but again the extra points were missed, this time Vaughan hit the post.

However, Vaughan did not miss the final score of the match with his third penalty of the afternoon.

Club skipper Tom Bason said: "We got better as the game wore on.

"They started between but going back over the past couple of seasons this is a game we might have lost but our defence is now much stronger."

Blackheath are away at Cambridge this weekend.