The biggest blow to Canterbury in their 55-12 pre-season warm up at Blackheath on Saturday was not the scoreline but an injury to rising star Tom Best that will keep him out of the game for at least six weeks.

The young fly-half suffered a chipped bone and cartilage damage which has put his promising career with the city club on hold before it has properly started.

Best’s departure came at a crucial point one minute before half time. An impressive Blackheath side immediately made the most of their extra man to create an overlap, score a fourth try and kill off any chance of a Canterbury comeback.

Blackheath’s ability to strike clinically from close quarters, and to flood the ball carriers with support, produced the first two tries. Former Canterbury star Ken Aseme was always a menacing presence but it took a lucky bounce and the Best incident to account for the rest of the first-half scores.

Mike Melford came up with a determined chip and chase try for the city club to get the second half away to promising start but Canterbury’s demanding defensive duties saw them wilt in the heat.

Three tries conceded in the space of five minutes crushed their resistance.

There was still plenty of attacking ambition, however, and when the backs got their hands on the ball late on Gert De Kock weaved his magic for a try to which he also added the conversion.