It was a beautiful eaely autumn day at Cross Green with clear blue skies and perfect visibility. It was also a "must win" match for the hosts. Blackheath were one of the three clubs below Otley in the table and without a single league point so far from the first four games. It's a little sad to see a team of Blackheath's former eminence falling upon hard times. As the very first open Rugby Union club in the world they must feel they fully merit their sobriquet "The Club". In times past they were one of the country's leadign clubs, and include amongst their former players such luminaries as Dickie Jeeps (widely regarded as England's greatest ever scrum-half), Mike Skinner and, as an elementary observation, Dr Watson! One of the nicest features of club rugby union is how it brings together clubs from vastly differing environments and cultures, and here we had a team from a little Yorkshire market town up against one from an affluent South London suburb (although it may be well to remember that the borough gets its name from being the very heath where most of the victims of the black death were buried).

The match kicked off in front of a very disappointing crowd of about 250 (should we blame that on the pleasant weather?). The first quarter mainly comprised an arm-wrestle between the two packs as they tested each other out and struggled for physical and psychological domination. Otley were gettign slightly ther better of the early exchanges up front, but never looked like capitalising with a real threat from the backs.

After half an hour of scoreless rugby, Otley were penalised at a ruck and Blackheath took the lead 3-0 with a penalty goal. Immediately, Otley struck back with a splendid attack. The ball was transferred from the half-backs along the three-quarter line with the aid of an exquisite loop movement to reach winger James Twoomey with a crisp, flat pass. He took in cleanly, engaged his opposite number and skillfully chipped the ball past him towards the try line. Twomey won the race for the ball, took it in one smooth movement and touched down for an excellent opening try. It was far out on the right wing and, alas, stand-off Murray missed the conversion. The score stood at 5-3 to Otley.

Up front, Blackheath were fighting back. They often had Otley on the back foot with their well-executed rolling mauls. Despite the impact upon the Otley forwardsm ut really is pleasing to see proper mauls again on a rugby field, after the mildly-aggressive ping-pong inflicted on the game by last season's "Experimental Law Variations" nonsense. Otley stuck to their time-honoured tradition of being penalised in the rucks, and after one penalty the referee issued a general warning to skipper Howard Parr. Inevitably, another ruck offence attracted the referee's ire and Oli Stedman was the unlucky player dispatched to the sidelines for 10 minutes. Howeverm one lesson now seemed clear - Blackheath vulnerable in defence and gaps would open if the ball were moved at speed. Otley appeared to have noticed, because during the first half stoppage time an orthodox passing movement out on the right again provided Twomey with just enough space to take on the Blackheath cover defence, sprint for the line and dive over for his second try. Again the conversion from far out was missed and Otley went in leading 10-3. Two tries had been scored and a bonus point looked in the offing.

However, two minutes after hakf-time, the complexion of the game was changed by a try to Blackheath. It came from a simple but efficient three-quarters' move, aided and abetted by deplorably weak Otley tackling, and the lead was cut to 10-8. Otley struck back with a series of attacks. At one of them, they were awarded a penalty straight under the posts. Parr ordered a kick at goal but - unfathomably - Murray contrived to miss. This spurred Otley to greater effort and they camped in the Blackheath 25-yard area for much of the half. In the 65th minute Otley piled on relentless pressure. Phase after phase, the ball was clinically recycled and another attack launched. Blackheath were now the team giving away penalties. Alas, it was all to naught: Otley attacked from a scrum 10 yards out and moved the ball along the line; a flat pass was sent to a player in space; but it was neatly intercepted by the Blackheath man who sprinted 90 yards to the Otley line to score. The conversion attempt failed, but Otley were 10-13 down with 15 minutes to go and facing down the barrel of defeat.

To their credit, Otley never became dispirited and went immediately into attack mode. Now dominating the rucks, Otley kept Blackheath under mounting pressure with a series of try-scoring attempts. With ten minutes to go the ball came out of a ruck in the Blackheath 25 yard area, scrum-half Depledge served stand-off Murray with a good ball, Murray hoisted tge ball towards the right corner of the field where Twomey popped up again to claim possession, leave the defence standing and go over for a try. The conversion attempt was now entrusted to full-back Beb Hough and he duly obliged by slotting the ball over the bar from way out on the right wing. Otley led 17-13.

For the last ten minutes Otley seemed to tire a little and Blackheath attacked their line mercilessly. The match ended with Blackheath winning a series of set pieces leaving Otley to hang on grimly. The final whistle came as a definite relief. Otley had won their first match of the season.

The victory was a team effort, but special mention must go to hat-trick hero James Twomey.

On this evidence, there mot certainly appear to be three teams worse than Otley and so relegation should be avoided - unless, of course, the English Rugby Union again decide to change the rules halfway through the season.