This was as close as any game in this season's Old Belvedere floodlit cup.
It was eventually decided by a Donal Martin penalty, two minutes from the end into a very tricky crossfield wind. Blackrock should have led by more than 1614 at the break.
Belvedere fullback Steve Cleeve suddenly burst into life. His running was exceptional and it brought him two tries, the second of which gave the hosts a 26-21 lead by the 70th minute.
When Blackrock fullback Hugh Carolan rolled out of Cleeve's attempted tackle to go over for an equalising try, all the signs were that sudden death was likely but then Martin kicked the winning penalty.
Scorers: Old Belvedere (S Cleeve two tries G McDowell and M McLoughlin try each. D MArtin pen and 3 cons), Blackrock (H Carolan P Dunne M Roche R Sommers try each. A Boyd two pens).
Old Belvedere: S Cleeve; D McHugh, R Monaghan, D Shanley, S Lonergan; D Martin, G MCDowell; M Carroll, A Linnane, G Fusco, M Henderson, J Delaney, D Clare, M McLoughlin, G White. Replacements: H McDonnell for Delaney (49 mins) J P Finlay for Lonergan 55 mins. C Johnston for McLoughlin 67 mins.
Blackrock: H Carolan; P Dunne, M Roche, B Scally, A Guinan; N O'Donovan, A Boyd; P Flavin, M Cuffe, I McLoughlin, H Kos, J Ryan, B Kelly, G McCarthy, R Sommers. Replacements: N Ryan, for McCarthy (28 mins). S Tanner, P Jordan for Flavin and McLoughlin (52 mins).
Referee: David Nelson (ARLB)
