Richmond’s opening games of the 2024/5 season were two ‘friendlies’ against National Two side Dorking, who finished only just behind Esher and Barnes last season. The weather was hot, the ground provided a beautiful setting and 49 first team squad players got a good run out.

The Vikings kicked off first. Preparatory time was limited as a result of delays on the journey. Playing up a steep slope, No 8 Gabriel Koomson provided the first clean break and, seconds later got the first touch down under the posts. Archie Winchurch-Beale will have enjoyed the second, beating the full back with a huge dummy.

At half time the score was 28-7, the four tries bolstered by Tom Smith’s excellent place kicking. Playing down the slope, Richmond cut loose, adding six more tries in a shortened second half. The penalties given away in the first half were largely cut out, and the backs got the chance to show some impressive pace, especially the back three of Conrad Burne, Aaqil Attah and Charlie Cadogan.

The first team game followed immediately with the sun unrelenting. This time Richmond started down the slope and took a while to find their shape. After sixteen minutes, it was again the No 8, this time Sam Pim who opened the scoring. A few minutes later, Pim got a yellow card and Richmond had a useful test in managing with a man short. They managed this to good effect, adding two tries whilst conceding one by Dorking winger Henry Anscombe. Chidera Obonna took the opportunity to run in impressively from halfway.
whilst Alex Schwarz completed a fine try immediately before half time.

Dorking featured several players with Championship or even Premiership experience and they kept battling for most of the second half. The Richmond front row took increasing command, once or twice shoving their opponents off the ball, and Jake Monson provided regular ball from the line out. Four more tries followed despite another yellow card, and there was good evidence of new combinations settling down. Importantly no more tries were conceded on an impressive and enjoyable first day.

Teams: Grieve, O’Meara, Case(c), Massey, Obonna, Burrage, Schwarz, Bevacqua, Torpey, Spring, Monson, Nugent, Benson, Saysell, Pim, Goffey, Murray, Freeman, Murphy, Schmid, Wills, Marsh, Dennett, S.Smith

Vikings: Burne, Cadogan, Rudder, Nel, Attah, T.Smith, Butler(c), Vaughan, Bentley, Vince, Fricano, Winchurch-Beale, Howson, Wakeling, Koomson, Keen, Wombell, Ayodele, Chabata, Banks, Farmer, Douglas,
Rossigneux, Drew, Dodson

By Tim Forrester