Blackheath Secures 25-15 Victory Over Sedgley Park: A Match Report by Graham Cox

Blackheath Secures 25-15 Victory Over Sedgley Park in National League 1 Clash

In a thrilling National League 1 encounter, Blackheath emerged victorious with a 25-15 win over Sedgley Park at home on Saturday. The match was heavily influenced by a gusty crossfield wind and saw a flurry of penalties, with the majority going against the visitors.

The Tigers, who returned to National League 1 after a decade, had a strong start to the 2023-24 season and were sitting comfortably in fourth place until a downturn in form saw them drop to ninth following their loss to Blackheath in January. Trailing 18-3 at the hour-mark, Sedgley Park staged a comeback with two quick tries, bringing them within three points of their opponents.

However, Blackheath showed resilience and composure in the closing stages of the game. A lost lineout and an offside infringement by the hosts gave Sedgley Park an opportunity to capitalize, but Blackheath’s defense held firm. Nathan Pope and Andy Riley combined for a try, narrowing the gap to just three points.

But Blackheath responded swiftly, with Oli Leatherbarrow and William Bradley scoring a try to extend their lead. A late try by Billy Harding, converted by Matt Dalrymple, sealed the victory for Blackheath.

Despite the challenging conditions and a stop-start game, Blackheath showcased their dominance and deservedly came out on top. The win sets them up nicely for their final away trip of the season to Rosslyn Park before their last game at home against Taunton on April 27.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon also secured a convincing 57-7 win over North Walsham in National League 2 East, marking just their fifth victory of the season. The Dons will be looking to build on this momentum when they host Worthing in their next fixture.