Evans keeps cool in derby drama

By GARETH WITHERS

Tonbridge J ……….. 21 

Blackheath …………23

THE first league derby between these two Kent rivals more than lived up to the billing as Blackheath edged to a thrilling triumph.

The lead changed hands three times in the closing ten minutes, but it was Blackheath who held their nerve and emerged with the lion's share of the points.

TJs stormed into an early lead when the visitors overthrew a lineout and an O'Sullivan break was finished by Matt Walsh. Fly-half Tom White added a penalty after a Murray Galbraith-Lowe break.

Blackheath fly-half Sam Evans slotted a shot at goal after 30 minutes, but the excellent Galbraith-Lowe chipped, gathered and finished under the sticks. White converted for a 15-3 half-time lead.

After the break, the tables turned. Blackheath found momentum, aided by two yellow cards to the hosts.

A try out wide from Harry Fry was followed by one from centre Jake Lloyd, converted by Evans, to level the scores before White put TJs back in front.

A second Lloyd score from a kick through saw Blackheath lead for the first time before another White penalty restored TJs' advantage. However, it was visiting fly-half Evans who slotted the decisive kick two minutes from time.