It was perhaps optimistic to expect too much from this encounter. The heroic effort last week at Wharfedale doesn't bear any relevance to this weeks match against Blackheath; a team who are desperate to avoid the drop and have trawled the unwanted players of local Championship sides London Scottish and London Welsh to bolster their resources. When this isn't an option it’s great (and easy) to be able take the moral high ground, but rules is rules and it’s allowed, so we will get over it. Suffice to say they have assembled a very accomplished group of players. Google them if you have a spare half hour, it’s illuminating and goes some way to explain why the standard is as it is.
Say what you like, I do, but I would be surprised if the players have not enjoyed the season, are not better players for the experience of N1 rugby and don’t want another crack at it. Can we find someone with recent experience of playing and coaching at this level and above to guide us?

“Hull Ionians flattered to deceive in this latest defeat, 12 – 36, to London side Blackheath RFC at Brantingham Park. The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute, after the pack drove over from close range, held parity up to the 24th minute when Blackheath replied in similar vein, before capitulating in the 38th minute to concede two tries just before the break.
The second half proved to be no better; Ionians let in two more tries before replying with another close range effort and allowing Blackheath the final say when long serving back – rower Dave Allen collected his second try, a fair reward for a sterling performance.
Blackheath had Ionians on the back foot from the off and I’s were grateful for an interception by full back Reakes who took play from his own 22 up to the opposition 22. The pack worked the ball to within 5m before Blackheath gave away a penalty, a line-out was cleanly taken and Mark Wigham controlled the drive to touch down for the try.
Blackheath were unable to convert a penalty chance, kicking made difficult by a strong cross wind, but their powerful pack were gaining the upper hand and Ionians were penalised for illegally stopping a drive that was rumbling inexorably towards the line and Wigham was dispatched to the bin. Before he had reached the bench Blackheath had equalised, Dave Allen credited with the score.
Poor handling by both sides ruined some promising passages of play with Ionians being particularly profligate. They engineered a position close to the visitors line but Blackheath were awarded a scrum from a knock on and they walked the ball forward and away to safety.
Once back in home territory the visitors caught their hosts knapping when livewire scrum half Jack Walsh took a quick tap and broke away before handing on to James Tinknell to race clear and under the posts for a routine conversion for Dante Mama.
Things got even worse just before the break when Walsh again broke free, sniping from the back of a catch and drive and he put Simon Whatling into the gap for another try. 5 – 19 at half time.
Blackheath exerted pressure right from the kick off, pinning Ionians back in their own 22. Joe Barker recovered to clear the line after unwisely trying to run from under the posts and Joe Martin took play up towards half way with a good break and carry but Blackheath stripped the ball and took the attack into the corner. From the breakdown second rower Tom Bason was left unattended to stroll down the blind side and over for the bonus point try.
Five minutes later Walsh got the try his efforts deserved. He gathered a loose ball just inside the Ionians 22 and ghosted his way to the line. Mama added the conversion to extend the lead to 5 – 31.
Blackheath lost the services of O’ Meara for foul play and in his absence the Ionians forwards were able to manufacture a try for No 8 Alex Campbell, Isaac Green tagged on the conversion with a well directed kick into the stiffening wind.
Having slowed play down as much as was tolerable during the 10 minutes O’Meara was absent, Blackheath upped the ante on his return. Another line –out in the home 22 was driven over and Allen collected his second try.
Blackheath now threw the ball back and forth across the field but came up against a solid defence with Slingsby and Thundercliffe to the fore. Ionians finished with a flourish but a knock on close to the line saw the opportunity lost and brought to an end to another disappointing afternoon for the Brantingham faithful.”
The 1st s came up against a man able to rule the roost in the line-out in Blackheath skipper Tom Bason, a consummate professional in Dave Allen and a quality operator in the impish Jack Walsh, all three at the top of their game and the I’s lacked the firepower to quell the exertions of the Blackheath Eight. Simple as that. They did themselves no favours by declining to hoof the ball long down field, instead electing to try and run it from their own line. Sometimes the backs ought to seek the advice of their bovine brethren in the forwards before adopting these tactics.
Brian decided that Chris Reakes was MoM, well done Chris.
Just one gripe that has nothing to do with the match and probably doesn’t concern anyone reading this, but.......... why do certain sections of the membership think it is acceptable to traipse mud throughout the clubhouse? Take your boots off outside please. That includes you, parents.