Confronted by league leaders Barking, Richmond put together a memorable team effort, playing with courage, determination and no little skill to get agonisingly close to a famous victory. Only two dropped goals at the end of a topsy-turvy game shaded the result for a mightily relieved Barking.  If Richmond can repeat this level of performance, they will soon start to climb the table again.

Richmond kicked off, playing up the slope into a bright, low sun. A confident Barking side soon put them under pressure, their big pack ominously shoving Richmond backwards from the first set scrum. This pressure created the first scoring opportunity after four minutes, the outstanding Craig Ratford converting a penalty as the back row went offside in desperate defence. Richmond responded four minutes later, Matt Hart doing the honours after Barking similarly transgressed.

Against the odds, Richmond gradually settled down and Barking were unable to gain material advantage from their clear scrum domination. The back row were magnificent in defence, John Downey particularly catching the eye, and the backline were fast up on the tackle, debutant Theo Malthouse getting early opportunity to show sturdy defensive credentials. Hart, as ever, was rock solid under a sequence of well directed high balls. And, in attack, Richmond retained the ball effectively, forwards and backs working well together, to build pressure and test the well organised Barking defence.

After seventeen minutes, Richmond went into a 6-3 lead with a second Hart penalty, given for Barking hands in the ruck. The home side came back strongly, the huge second row Stuart Riding bouncing off tackles to reach the Richmond 22. Pressure mounted but Richmond somehow held out, forcing the league leaders into uncharacteristic errors. However, after half an hour, Barking once more put together a huge shove at a scrum, pushing and turning the Richmond pack, the inevitable result being another penalty, converted by Ratford to bring the scores level.

The half time score remained at 6-6, Barking’s late attempt to convert a penalty from inside their own half suggesting some fragile nerves.

(Sad loss of a stalwart supporter - John Habberfield - Click here)

The first ten minutes of the second half were likely to be vital and Richmond came out, fired up and increasingly confident. After five minutes, they earned another penalty, following a period of prolonged attack and Hart made no mistake to take Richmond back into the lead.  However the lead was only held for five minutes before Richmond gave away the sort of soft try which has dogged them all season. Having rebuffed a concerted Barking attack and driven them back thirty metres to relative safety, a general maul ensued and supporters relaxed. Unfortunately scrum half Jack Gash did not, seizing the ball as it emerged unexpectedly from the melee and scampering thirty metres unopposed to score under the posts and put his side into a 13-9 lead.

At this stage, the faint hearted might have feared that Barking would now run away with the game and Richmond’s mighty efforts would subside. This did not happen. Toby Henry, Joe Brown and Malthouse combined to force Barking into conceding a scrum five. Barking offended and Richmond were given a free kick, alertly taken by Henry who found the hard working Jono Farmer at his shoulder to take a scoring pass, Hart adding the conversion for a 13-16 lead. Anything was now possible.

Both sides had penalty opportunities but the next score was a try and it was distinctly unlucky. Barking ran the ball in the Richmond 22 and Ratford kicked for the corner. Richmond appeared to have the situation well covered but a cruel bounce changed everything, the ball bouncing backwards and sideways into grateful Barking hands for a crucial try against the recent run of play.

Somehow Richmond responded again and Hart kicked his fourth penalty to give his side the lead yet again at 18-19 with twelve minutes to go. Chances now abounded for both sides, Hart and Luke Cousins going close with penalty and drop goals respectively. But Barking now showed their mettle, with confidence gained from a formidable record this season. Ratford steadied himself twice to drop goals in the last five minutes and Barking heaved a sigh of relief after a match which really could have gone either way. It was a wonderful effort by the whole Richmond team in a match admirably refereed by the unfussy Mr Harding.

Next Saturday Richmond are back at the Athletic Ground (kick off 3pm) in the final pre Christmas league game against mid table Canterbury.

Tries: Farmer 

Conversions: M.Hart

Penalties: M.Hart(4)

Team: M.Hart, A.Saunders (M.Deane), J.Brown, T.Malthouse, N.Piggot, L.Cousins, T.Henry,  A.Lyon, J.Phipps (E.Rosa),  D.Parkinson (E.Atkinson), H.Head (C), T.Wesley (D.Falvey) , J.Farmer, J.Downey , P.Clarke.