Blackheath 18 Westcombe Park 22. Blackheath old boy Derek Coates returned to the Rectory Field last Staurday to quite literally put the boot in on his old club, scoring all the points in Westcombe Park's victory.

Club had started with a bang when Jon Griffin knocked over a penalty after only two minutes, and then won two line-outs on the trot to put their arch rivals on the back-foot.

But, inevitably, Club conceded a penalty and the impeccable Coates stroked the ball between the posts to level the scores.

Club were continually on the offensive and a great run from Chris Trace looked like being a certain try, but the referee pulled him back for an infringement.

Park were now under severe pressure and making no inroads into the Blackheath half, so it was not a great surprise when Club went 8-3 ahead after a superb drive forward down the left-wing allowed prop Mark Hathaway to notch his second try of the season. But Jon Griffin missed a very difficult conversion.

During this time Combe ventured only once into the home half with a good kick ahead, but centre Pat Sykes held back Robin Morrow to give away a penalty.

Jon Griffin added another penalty to make it 11-3 and even the hardy Combe fans would admit their boys were under the cosh and probably relieved when the whistle went for half-time, although Park had scored another penalty.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first with Club dominating the first 25 minutes, apart from a lapse by Jon Griffin, whose cross-field pass was intercepted by Coates to stroll through the posts for an easy five pointer, plus an even easier conversion for two more.

Park were now ahead but any neutral would have agreed it was against the run of play, but Blackheath were indisciplined at the base of the scrum and giving far too many penalties away.

Club were still piling on the pressure and a resolute defence by Combe played well, but not enough to keep out another Club drive which saw Hathaway go over for another try which Griffin converted to make it 18-13.

Park then decided on allout attack and the Club line resembled the Alamo as wave after wave came at them and the inevitable happened, three penalties from Coates to leave the final score 22-18.

Club coach Chris Kibble said: "We were the better team, but if you give penalties away and get bad decisions like the intercepted try when the touch judge had flagged for inferingement, we can't go on saying if only? But the boys will bounce back, no problem.

Park's hero Coates said: "Mark Percival pinned us back with his deep kicking but we showed a lot of character, but to be fair we were lucky!"