Richmond 58-10 Thurrock

The game started with a fantastic break from Fran Matthews, showing a glimpse of the impressive play that would follow from the Richmond back line. Abi Chamberlain opened the scoring after 4 minutes with a try, converted by Alice Richardson, 7-0. Claire Allan followed soon after with her first of the afternoon. 12-0.

It did look like Richmond wouldn't have it all their own way when the Thurrock 7, Marcassus drove over from a lineout but Richmond hit straight back with tries from Fran Matthews after an excellent turnover, and Claire Allan after a break by Richardson, making it 22-5 after 25 minutes.

The referee did her best to level the playing field by binning Rowena Burnfield for bringing down a maul and Thurrock took advantage to send their 12 Fenn over.

Richmond looked briefly subdued before Annabel Sergeant broke through tackles to score on halftime. 27-10.

The second half turned into a one sided affair. The Richmond back line started to look like the force it was before the 2 seasons of serious injuries they have endured. Fran Matthews got her second try on 50 minutes with halftime replacement Holly Myers adding another 3 minutes later. Richardson converted to make it 39-10.

Determined not to let the backs have all the fun, player of the match Ellisha Dee added another 5 points when she powered through the Thurrock defence. 44-10.

Chamberlain added her second try on 66 minutes before Fran Matthews bagged her hat-trick on 70 minutes, both converted by Richardson. 58-10.

The last 7.5 minutes were all Richmond with a clear try for Tess Forsberg disallowed and the final whistle being blown 2.5 minutes early with Richmond attacking the Thurrock line, which could be crucial if the league comes down to points difference.