Richmond survive a muddy day in Bristol

Bristol 3-5 Richmond

On a cold, wet day in Bristol, both teams battled the conditions to provide an impressive defensive display.

The match started well for Richmond, with some promising attacking phases but Bristol showed early on that they had a well drilled defence that wasn't going to let anything through. Both sides had their share of handling errors in the muddy conditions. Bristol then followed Richmond with some impressive attacks but the Richmond defence looked secure and kept them out. Bristol's speed at the breakdown was impressive and they were getting quick ball from the rucks.

The Bristol 7 was binned after about half an hour and Alex Matthews crossed the line for Richmond but the referee rightly called it back for a forward pass. Bristol's defence with 14 was solid and Richmond found no way through, leaving the score 0-0 at half time.

The start of the second half saw Bristol camped in the Richmond 22. Richmond were penalised for holding on and Bristol took the kick. 3-0.

After this, the conditions did make flowing rugby difficult and both sides saw errors creeping in. Richmond were pushing hard for a score and it duly came from a rolling maul with Alex Matthews crossing the line. 5-3.

Bristol will rue the indiscipline that saw 2 more yellow cards in the second half and put them under pressure.

The climax of the game was tense with Rowena Burnfield sin binned on 69 minutes and Richmond had to defend for the final few minutes before the referee blew for full time much to the relief of the London side.