Sat 5 Mar 2022, 15:00
Leeds Tykes, assisted by faultless kicking from Charlie Venables, produced a resilient display to take four valuable league points on the road to survival.
In a tight encounter, both sides traded early penalties before a break down the right wing saw Andrew Lawson race over for the opening try on 13 minutes.
Blackheath responded immediately through Marcus Kershaw, who dived over in the corner after the ball was moved quickly through the phases. Freddie Gabbitass slotted over a touchline conversion to level the scores.
Soon after, the fly half drilled a penalty down the touchline; the home side utilised the position with Nathan Morris driving over. The extras were missed leaving the scores at 15-10 after the first forty.
In similar fashion to the first half, penalties were exchanged to advance the scores. Leeds continued to play their attacking style but were foiled by some steadfast defence. Eventually, Blackheath became untidy under the pressure and Venables made them pay for their transgressions, nudging the visitors ahead.
The hosts pressed in the closing stages and earned a penalty to retake the lead via the boot of Jake Hennessy.
Refusing to be beaten, the determined Tykes worked a position for Venables to strike the match–winning penalty from 35 metres – taking his personal tally to 17 points – just as the clock turned red.
Praising his side, Head Coach Jon Callard said: “Before the game we spoke about the need to be nauseous, nasty northern men and we did exactly that today. There were some really nice things in there which we can build our game-plans around going forward. With eight games to go we must keep progressing from here.”
