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Richmond restored their local reputation with a hard fought victory over local neighbours Barnes, their thirty-two point winning score neatly mirroring Barnes’ score in the October Athletic Ground encounter. In a match higher in physical intensity and niggle than any enduring quality, Richmond fully merited their five points for victory after a controlled and disciplined second half performance. On a bitingly cold day, the game started at a frantic pace as both sides adjusted to the strong wind, which favoured Barnes in the first half. Richmond were first on the scoring sheet, taking advantage of a penalty kick into the 22. Henry Head made the first drive from the line out but it was Daryl Marfo, in his first start for the first fifteen, who did the damage. In a hugely impressive performance, Marfo simply ran straight and blasted his way through the middle of the Barnes defence to score from twenty metres. Matt Hart added a simple conversion and Richmond had just the start and the lead they wanted. If this season has taught Richmond followers anything, it is to take nothing for granted. So there was no great surprise when the next two scores went to Barnes. With the Barnes forwards gaining confidence and the Richmond error count climbing, the home side took full advantage. Barnes won a turnover just inside the Richmond half and scrum half Ross Blake scampered down the blind side with his back row in support. Richmond just managed to hold up the attack on the try line but Barnes retained their composure and, seconds later, drove over for a deserved try, converted by full back Warren Gower. Two minutes later, Barnes took the lead. With Richmond struggling to get their line out working efficiently, the home side claimed their own throw with ease and the forwards drove powerfully over from the resultant maul to set Barnes up for a 14-7 lead. However in the sixteenth minute, Barnes pressed the self destruct button with No 8 Gary Holmes yellow carded for throwing a punch. The absence of a Barnes’ forward allowed the Richmond pack to settle and establish more consistent territorial advantage. The points did not follow because opportunities were lost on the back of continuing errors. A kick to touch was over hit; a penalty was missed; and Richmond were penalised for running into their own man. |
