By Tim Forrester:

After a tense first half, Richmond cut loose in the second to add 33 points to their score at the cost of just one interception try. The win takes Richmond’s tally against the Scots to five wins from the last six contests. It was an entertaining game, played in front of a big crowd on a sunny autumn day. Richmond now sit third in the Championship table, though two sides below have played one game less.

After their close contest away at Coventry, Richmond made only two injury enforced changes to the starting lineup. Will Homer returning for Max Trimble and Kurt Schonert moving from the bench to replace Johnny Harris. Among the substitutes, Owain James and Vaughan Bentley were called up for the first time. The Scots, still searching for the right combinations after a season out, included five young Harlequins in their 23.

Richmond got off to the better start but could not turn pressure into points. Toby Saysell was straight into the game with a steal to help to maintain the attack but the fourth of a succession of five metre lineouts was overthrown, and the Scottish cleared.

For the Scots, centre Javiah Pohe was the main carrier, making some dents but sometimes let down by handling errors. After ten minutes, the strong Scottish front-row got first advantage, shoving Richmond back to overturn possession. The Richmond defence were caught offside, but kicker Dan Nutton could not convert the penalty.

Richmond had their moments, but players were at this stage too easily isolated, as support was sometimes too slow. The London Scottish now had a run of penalties as they worked their way to five metres. When the scrum popped up, referee Mike Hudson indicated advantage to the Scots. Richmond seemed to lose concentration as the defence chased wide to cover and they left a huge hole, through which Ed Hoadley sauntered for the easiest try he will ever score. The conversion by Nutton gave his side a 0-7 lead after 26 minutes.

James Kane, outstanding in defence and attack, closed the gap with a penalty three minutes later, but the Scottish continued to edge things, their scrum and lineout providing confidence. Hamish Graham, closing down his man at the end of a backs move was probably unfortunate to be yellow carded, as his tackle did not in real time look either high or late. However, the game now turned for the first time as a pass from Hoadley deep in the Richmond 22, missed his man and was instead picked up by Homer, who sped 70 metres to the posts, never looking as if he could be caught. Kane converted for a 10-7 lead.

The lead was short lived, the Scots scoring an excellent try, started by Hayden Hyde drawing in defenders, before the ball was spread wide down the left wing. Richmond scrambled back at the corner to stop the initial scoring effort, but the Scots stayed patient, and prop Joe Rees soon rumbled over, Nutton adding a good conversion for a 10-14 half-time lead.

Richmond had plenty to do and made full use of their half-time break, coming out fired up and much quicker to the ball. After just two minutes, the forwards drove to the line, but the try was disallowed after the officials conferred. The drop-out found Kane who ran the ball back to gain a penalty. The Scots seemed to lose all discipline now and conceded another ten metres for back chat. Kane found the corner and once again the forwards battered the line. Finally, the ball was passed out to the backs and Ted Landray looked up to see Homer clear on the touchline. A perfect cross kick was duly caught by the winger, who touched down for his second try.

Briefly, the Scots responded, Nutton making a break to get within a couple of metres but when the pass wide was knocked on, shoulders seemed to slump. Ten second half penalties were conceded as Richmond took a firm grip on the game. Kane added a penalty from half-way, to extend the lead and then, after 58 minutes, his side added a third try. Kane spotted clear space and threaded a kick from his half into the opposition 22. From the lineout, the forwards mounted a well organised drive, the backs joining in for the final metres. Inevitably, Mark Bright was the scorer.

Richmond wanted a fourth try and got it four minutes later, Kane combining with James, who had only just come on, to race down the left touchline, before the mobile Jack Musk was up in support to get the try, converted by Kane. Richmond were now rampant, throwing elaborate passes and, just for a moment, got over ambitious, allowing the deserving George Hammond to run 30 metres to brighten the Scottish day. Nutton converted and they had a glimmer of hope.

But not for long. Kane added two more penalties as the Richmond pressure became relentless. The defence picked up and shunted players back, and the Scots, now missing two injured forwards, had no answer. The final try came from another five metre lineout, commandingly won by Will Carrick Smith. The forwards confidently set up and this time it was the energetic Saysell who got the try, converted by Kane for a thumping 43-21 victory. The Player of the match was Kurt Schonert, the loose-head prop, who played an important role in countering early Scottish dominance at the set scrum.

Richmond captain Cam Mitchell said post-game: "We weren't firing on all cylinders. The half-time break came at a good time and I'm proud of the way we responded. It was a huge team effort to get the result and secure the bonus point. We look forward to maintaining this form and improving even more against Bedford in two weeks."

Elsewhere, the Richmond Vikings defeated the Saxons 42-8 in their annual league fixture, while the Normans won their friendly against the Jutes 31-21.

Tickets are now on sale for Richmond's next home fixture against Jersey Reds on Saturday 30th October (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase.

FINAL SCORE: RICHMOND 43 - LONDON SCOTTISH 21

Richmond 43
Tries: Will Homer (34th, 45th min), Mark Bright (57th, 80th min), Jack Musk (60th min)
Conversions: James Kane (34th, 60th, 80th min)
Penalties: James Kane (28th, 51st, 71st, 75th min)

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