Richmond took a definite step forward with a battling display against mid table Ampthill and it was only the final try, three minutes from the end, which decided the result. The blustery and showery conditions were testing for both the players and the ‘COVID restricted’ crowd, who numbered around 500. Ampthill managed the occasion well, providing a warm welcome and ensuring that spectators stuck to the rules.

Both sides made numerous changes to their sides, Richmond maintaining their policy of rotating their lineup and Ampthill taking the opportunity to bring in a number of available young loan players from the Premiership. Huw Worthington made his first start for Richmond at number eight and Graham Geldenhuys made his club debut from the bench.

Playing in their change strip, Richmond kicked-off and soon had their first points on the board. Worthington was immediately prominent with a barraging run, and the home side conceded a penalty in front of their posts, converted by Rob Kirby. The lead did not last long as a sequence of errors allowed Ampthill to respond. The kick-off ball dipped horribly in the cross wind, and Ampthill were able to set up in the 22. Dave Ward (ex Quins), playing his final home game, was stopped, but a penalty was conceded, and Ampthill set up their lineout drive. However, on this occasion, they lost the ball, and Richmond had a chance to clear. Frustratingly, Kurt Schonert, who anchored the scrum well, dropped the ball attempting a clearance, and this time prop James Flynn took the chance to burrow over from the maul. Ampthill’s player of the match Russell Bennett added the conversion.

Schonert quickly made amends when the forwards earned a penalty at the first set scrum, and Kirby cut the lead to one point. David Halaifonua, the huge Tongan and former Gloucester winger, had one early charge but was well stopped by Toby Saysell, who earned a turnover penalty. This allowed Richmond to set up in the opposition 22 and after Mike Perks regained scrappy lineout ball, the forwards pounded the defence to win a third kickable penalty, converted by Kirby to take the lead after 12 minutes.

The lead lasted four minutes. Richmond were penalised at a lineout near halfway, when the defensive line came up early. Bennett kicked beautifully to set up in the corner. Once again Richmond did half the work to escape, when Freddie Hosking stole the lineout ball. However, the forwards were penalised, probably for sealing off, as they set up to provide clearance ball. Richmond resisted manfully but two more penalties ensued before Ward got the inevitable try.

Next, number eight Suvwe Obano made a bullocking run through the defence, which conceded a penalty for not releasing. This time Richmond held the drive and Kirby was able to boot clear. After 25 minutes, Richmond worked their way into the 22, after strong runs by Worthington and Sam Collingridge, and Ampthill flanker Jac Arthur earned a yellow card and a team warning. Kirby’s tricky kick slid inches wide across the wind.

Winger Will Kaye showed how to use the wind with one booming kick and follow up. Hosking stole another lineout and Richmond maintained the pressure as the conditions worsened. Finally, the strong running Worthington, impressive all afternoon, picked from the back of the scrum and Ampthill conceded a penalty at the breakdown under their posts. Kirby’s successful kick left the half-time score 12-12.

With the wind gusting stronger and rain squalls frequent, Ampthill’s second half plan was clear, to use the wind to pepper Richmond’s left hand corner. When the visitors were pinged at the breakdown, Bennett quickly scoured the field and boomed an immaculate kick right into the corner. The drive was stopped, and Ampthill quickly moved the ball wide left and then back inside to the posts. Richmond’s defence was excellent as Ampthill continued through seven or eight phases. But finally, Halaifonua was very well positioned to take an inside pass out of the tackle and slip through, Bennett converting.

Richmond were now playing into a very strong wind but got the benefit when Ampthill overhit a long kick to concede a scrum on their 10 metre line. Goble and Worthington worked their way forward before referee Adam Creal called them back for a penalty. It was nearly 35 metres out and fairly straight but a tricky kick into the wind. Kirby used all his experience to keep the kick low and successful.

Two minutes later, Richmond kicked out on the full. Ampthill got a driving maul moving forward from the lineout and, with the referee playing advantage, the ball was moved out wide, young Saracen Josh Hallett running a lovely line to set Halaifonua thundering unstoppably into the corner.

The next period of play was Richmond’s best, substitutes Jack Musk and Geldenhuys adding extra energy and momentum. Worthington was everywhere and Hosking never stopped working. In the backs Oli Evans probed endlessly and Kaye ran hard and straight with limited opportunities. When Ampthill took the ball into the 22 before kicking out, Richmond had an excellent attacking platform, but Kirby was held up when he might perhaps have passed. The scrum was now going really well and mounted a big shove to claim the ball. Under the posts, Ampthill turned over possession and cleared. However, Kaye ran the ball back, finding a gap in the defence and Richmond now played some lovely rugby, Evans, Musk, Kirby and Worthington all involved before the strong running Goble found Geldenhuys inside him and the South African completed the move by running round to the posts. Kirby converted and the score was 24-22 with 14 minutes left.

Richmond recharged their efforts, but Ampthill kept them pinned in their half, with kicking options limited by the wind. Finally, with three minutes left, Ampthill built their attack patiently from a lineout and then a scrum under the posts. When the defence were pinged and Ampthill kicked for the corner, the script was familiar and well rehearsed. The forwards were initially held but then the backs came charging in and sub Syd Blackmore was propelled over the line. Crucially, Bennett added the conversion.

The result was frustrating though fairly earned, but the Richmond performance was much improved in challenging conditions. Hopefully, Richmond can pull out all the stops with their last game of the season against Coventry this Saturday in front of a home crowd.

Director of Rugby Steve Hill, said post-game: “This was a much improved performance by the whole squad. We showed a lot more physicality in defence and this kept us in the game until the last couple of minutes. In difficult conditions and against a very strong Ampthill squad we showed a lot of heart and no little skill. The key now is to take these positives into our final match and ensure we produce an even better performance and outcome.”

Match tickets are now on sale for Saturday’s fixture against Coventry (KO 14:00). CLICK HERE to purchase (be quick tickets are selling fast).

FINAL SCORE: AMPTHILL 31 - RICHMOND 22

Richmond 22
Tries: Graham Geldenhuys (66th min)
Conversions: Rob Kirby (66th min)
Penalties: Rob Kirby (1st, 7th, 12th, 36th, 48th min)

Image courtesy of Dante K Photography: www.dantekphotography.com