After a break of 51 weeks, Richmond returned to action in a friendly against Ealing Trailfinders. Whilst the players have been training hard for some 35 weeks, severe limits on contact have made preparation immensely difficult. Players and coaches should therefore be congratulated on the quality of play displayed in this game against an Ealing squad, who by contrast are fully professional and have collectively now played nine games this season.

With the ground looking immaculate, the game was divided into three halves, two half hours and a twenty minute final phase. This was designed to allow Richmond to give playing time to all 33 of their match day squad, as well as to allow Ealing to give a run out to their 25 man squad.

Richmond included ten of the 22 who clinched promotion to the Championship last season. Ealing, who have clearly set their stall on challenging for promotion, have put together a big squad of seasoned professionals and included in their ranks a host of highly experienced Premiership and Championship players.

Unsurprisingly, Ealing were quicker into their stride and Richmond, who conceded two early penalties, were forced back into defensive duties. However, they looked well organised and alert in defence and the line was up fast to stall Ealing’s efforts to spread the ball wide. Jack Allcock and Oliver Evans, who have both endured long injury spells, made key contributions.

The first score came after 13 minutes and it was a wonderful opening try by Richmond, created by the two wingers. Max Trimble (former Coventry) slipped through a gap in midfield and made good ground before the ball was moved to Alex Goble (ex Old Elthamians) on the right. The winger still had plenty to do but dummied well and finished from 30 metres.

Whilst Ealing were dominating territory, Richmond looked in neat order and the forwards appeared to be edging the scrums. The one achilles heel was the number of penalties, mostly awarded at the breakdown by referee Simon Harding. Two of these in quick succession allowed Ealing centre Steven Shingler to kick his side within 15 metres of the line. The visitors set up the drive from the lineout but were well held, forcing scrum-half Jordan Burns to look to pass the ball out to the backs. Richmond anticipated this a fraction early, and the speedy Burns, an ex Richmond player, slipped his way through the gap to touch down wide out. Shingler added the conversion.

These were the only scores in the first session and Richmond continued to play some expansive rugby, running the ball back at pace. Up front, the two packs were well matched.

For the second session, Richmond made wholesale changes, whilst Ealing largely stayed unchanged until later. The second session did not start well with Richmond fumbling the long kick-off and then conceding a penalty. This time No 8 Simon Uzokwe (ex Newcastle Falcons) went for the direct route, tapping and going, and could not be stopped, Shingler taking the score to 5-14.

Richmond had a chance to get a quick score back. A good Benjamin Cook catch, followed by a penalty, set up the home team in the Ealing 22. A deft kick to corner gave Jake Caddy a difficult chance but he couldn’t quite get the touch down. Richmond continued to press with Lewis Dennett varying his passes well. However, Ealing held out and, in a flash, worked their way up to the Richmond 22, helped again by a slough of penalties. Finally, from seven or eight metres, the Ealing pack drove forward from a lineout and when the maul was pulled down, the referee pointed to the posts and a penalty try.

Richmond responded well and followed up the kick-off to force errors. A penalty to the corner provided further opportunity and lock Freddie Hosking (former Old Elthamians) made one storming break to get close. Richmond were full of ambition and fluent with their passing and movement. But they were pinged for holding on when trying to open up from the back. Trailfinders again showed their power with Uzokwe the scorer from another close drive.

Both sides emptied their benches for the final session and Richmond now took the game by the scruff of the neck to score three times in a 10 minute period. The first of the trio of scores was the try of the match. Richmond lost a rare lineout and Ealing reached the home 22 before they lost possession. Ben Rath, who was outstanding in the last twenty minutes, started the move, and forwards and backs interplayed impressively before Dan Kelly was set free down the middle. From 35 metres, Kelly dummied beautifully before racing home for the try, converted by Ted Landray.

With the momentum behind them, Richmond were soon back on the attack, a penalty taking them within 30 metres. Another penalty was awarded at the lineout and scrum-half Callum Watson (ex Chinnor) was very alert, tapping and weaving his way to the line from 15 metres. Rath and Watson were again key contributors in the third try, which was well finished by the powerful Alex Goble. Landray’s conversion took the score to 24-28.

They might have pinched the game at the end, a pass out wide to Goble just adjudged forward. However, in the closing moments, Ealing kept their composure and ended the game with a well worked try. Bobby Beattie (former London Scotish) made a break in the build-up before South African Abongile Nonkontwana (ex Cheetahs) just had enough strength to force his way over in the corner.

It was an excellent Richmond performance, demonstrating some real width and depth of talent in the squad, and it bodes well for the forthcoming league games. Credit to Ealing for participating in a good game of rugby, which was reassuringly free of any indiscipline or controversy.

Richmond's focus now turns to Saturday and the first match of the 2020/21 Greene King IPA Championship season away against Hartpury University RFC (KO 13:15). Full streaming details to be revealed this week.

Final score: Richmond 24 - Ealing Trailfinders 33
Tries: Alex Goble (13, 73 mins) Dan Kelly (63 mins) Callum Watson (68 mins)
Conversions: Ted Landray (63, 73 mins)

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