Richmond Under 14 B team delivered a powerful performance on Sunday, securing a convincing 35-5 victory over Old Cranleighans B. Despite facing a determined Old Cranleighans side who showed remarkable defensive resilience throughout the match, Richmond’s combination of backline speed and forward power ultimately proved decisive.

The first half set the tone for Richmond’s attacking intent. The opening try came from number 8 Ben Keers, who demonstrated great awareness and strength to pick up from the back of a solid scrum and drive over the line from ten yards out. The opposition defence was then split wide open by a phenomenal effort from James Dowd, playing out of position at outside centre. Dowd showcased his blistering pace and agility, bursting through the centre of the Old Cranleighans defence and beating several players en route to the try line. The half was capped off by a smart piece of play from hooker Steph Kyriacou, who executed a quick pick-up and powerful drive to score. All three tries were successfully converted by fly-half Zac Theophilus, giving Richmond a commanding lead. Zac was clinical, successfully converting all 5 of his attempts at the posts throughout the game.

The second half saw Old Cranleighans redouble their defensive efforts, exemplified by one memorable sequence where they successfully resisted five consecutive try-line drives from the Richmond pack. However, Richmond’s offensive pressure was relentless. James Dowd added his second try of the day, further cementing his impact on the game. The final score came from winger Eduardo Olivera Ojeda, who displayed incredible speed with a fine sprint from the halfway line to touch down, even pausing halfway to the line for some referring clarity!

While Old Cranleighans B showed spirit and commitment in defence, it was Richmond’s blend of 'fast hands' and 'power in the back line' that ultimately secured the 35-5 final scoreline. This victory is a testament to the team’s growing cohesion and skill development.