The Lions lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a hard earned bonus point win against a very physical Blackheath side in an eventful and exciting game.

The Lions started well, exerting pressure in the early stages. They were first on the board when Blackheath failed to exit their 22 and Mali Satala pounced on a loose ball to score. Luke Bouchier converted (7-0).

Blackheath, against the run of play, levelled the score shortly afterwards though when impressive winger Jake Hennessey made a line break out wide and fed centre Findlay Gilmour to go over. Tom Ffitch converted to level the scores (7-7).

The home side were dominating the territory and strong defence was keeping the big Blackheath ball carriers at bay when they did get opportunity to attack.

The Lions then went back in front when good hands released Satala to race clear for his second. The flying winger was hit late with a cheap shot after putting the ball down, for which flanker Josh Smart saw yellow. Bouchier converted and then added a penalty to give the home side a 10 point half time advantage.

HT 17-7

Blackheath reduced the arrears shortly after the break when Jake Hennessy scored out wide following a Tom Ffitch line break. (17-12)

The Lions were soon back in the ascendency though and an Arthur Allen score pushed them beyond a score again when a neat lineout play led to Jamel Hamilton carrying over the gain line and finding the hooker on his shoulder to cross close to the posts. Bouchier slotted the easy extras (24-12)

Blackheath would not let the Lions get away from them and were back within a score once again hen a clever grubber was retrieved by Jake Lloyd who found replacement scrum half Jack Daly on the inside to race over. Ffitch converted successfully. (24-19)

With just 5 points between the sides, and 5 minutes to go, the game was very much in the balance. The Lions clinched the match-winning bonus point score though when replacement scrum half Charlie Bemand hacked a loose ball through from half way and was tackled off the ball just before scoring an inevitable try so a penalty try was awarded. (31-19)

A big defensive effort from the Lions, that epitomised their performance, held Blackheath at bay until the final minute when they deservedly scored their own bonus point try as Hennessey grabbed his second from close range. Ffitch converted to add the losing bonus point as well.

FT 31-26

With the win, just as was the case for the Lions last season, their fight for survival goes down to the last game of the season, needing two points from their fixture against Stortford to ensure National 1 rugby once again next season.

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''I am incredibly proud of the boys. The desire and commitment they showed today, under immense pressure, was incredible. Blackheath are a top side, and are towards the top of the league for a good reason. They have really big ball carriers and a high tempo attacking game that most teams in the teams struggle to deal with. We had a clear plan to deal with that, and try and impose our own game on them, and I though we did that superbly today and thoroughly deserved the win.''