Two tries in the last eight minutes provided Jersey Reds with all five points against a pugnacious Richmond side. The victory was deserved but the final margin does not reflect the game. Playing against a strong wind in the first half, Richmond gave themselves every chance by reaching half-time with a deficit of seven points. However, the home team were familiar with the challenge of battling the wind and eventually squeezed Richmond out of the game.

Richmond made three changes to the squad from the last game. Mike Perks was given a starting role, following his celebrated last minute try-saving tackle against the Blues, whilst Ntinga Mpiko and Luke Spring were the prop replacements, the latter playing his first league game.

Jersey kicked-off with the goal posts rocking in the cold wind. Richmond took a while to sort out their kicking game, with box kicks making little progress. The Reds had the opposite problem, long kicks likely to go dead, if allowed to run. Gradually, Richmond settled, helped by their dominance of the lineout, where Jersey struggled to combat Freddie Hosking and Will Carrick Smith.

The opening try came in the 14th minute. Richmond had cleared their lines to their 22 with a penalty but another box kick swirled back, resulting in a knock-on. From the scrum, Jersey played good rugby, moving the ball from side to side and drawing in defenders until winger Will Brown had the space to run in at the corner.

Richmond countered quickly. At the kick-off, Jake Caddy and Huw Worthington chased well and Jersey booted the ball straight out.

Richmond’s lineout was their first visit to the 22, and they took their opportunity immediately. Hosking secured possession and the pack drove steadily forward before Jared Cardew claimed the touch down. The conversion from the touchline into the wind was only just wide.

James Kane was back in action at the restart, gathering the ball and swivelling past the chasers. But his pass went forward and, when the scrum wheeled, referee Hamish Smales indicated a Jersey penalty, and advantage was played. The Reds reacted at pace, going wide left, but the initial defence was excellent. However, when the ball was moved back inside, Tim Grey had the power to force his way over, Scott Van Breda adding the conversion.

With the wind a major factor, Richmond needed to hold the deficit at one score. They almost did better. Fly-half Kane was finding gaps with his power and acceleration and he next made a clear break through the defence, with his winger outside him and only full back Van Breda to beat. Kane opted for the dummy and Van Breda nailed him with a strong tackle, which was followed by a Jersey penalty.

Despite this lost opportunity, the Richmond defence worked hard to hold Jersey out and dealt well with any swirling high kicks. They played out the last two or three minutes to reach half-time a creditable 12-5 down, with conditions now in their favour.

The scene was set in the opening two minutes of the second half. Jersey got a scrum penalty but missed touch and Richmond responded with a long kick which rolled dead. Both sides needed to adjust to the changed circumstances. The lively Jersey scrum-half James Mitchell was now prompting his backs to run the ball back. However, a promising attack down the right was halted by an interception by Caddy and suddenly the winger had a chance to run clear from 65 metres. The defence was hot in pursuit and at one stage looked like they might catch him, but Caddy somehow found the acceleration to move clear for an excellent solo try.

Richmond were now just two points behind with 25 minutes to go and were straight back on the attack. However, the home defence closed any space quickly and Richmond were increasingly denied by small errors. Jersey now had clear advantage in the scrums, awarded six scrum penalties through the afternoon despite Richmond protestations.

With just under 20 minutes to go, a scrum collapsed without ever looking anything like set, and Jersey used the penalty to set up on the Richmond 22. The initial drive was stopped but at the cost of another penalty, and this time Jersey took full advantage, hooker Eoghan Clarke at the back of the drive.

Still only seven points behind, Richmond were awarded a penalty as Jersey came offside in defence. They opted to kick for goal and Kane made no mistake, closing the gap to four points with ten minutes to go.

However, Richmond put themselves back under immediate pressure at the restart, pinged for obstruction as Jersey chased the kick-off. From the lineout, the Reds moved the ball swiftly and with power. The Richmond defence held out under the posts but had no answer when the ball was moved wide for Brown to claim his second try.

Now nine points behind, Richmond had eight minutes to get back in the game and end with at least a losing point. It was not to be. Max Trimble made a good fist of the best opportunity, just denied a try in the corner, whilst Ted Landray made a neat break. In the final minutes, Jersey were clinical in denying Richmond ball and it was only when there were 45 seconds left that Richmond had a scrum 30 metres from their own line. Both sides knew they were going to run it and, when they did, the home defence were waiting. A strong tackle knocked the ball out of Richmond’s hands and Mitchell was first to the loose ball, hacking it forward before touching it down by the posts. Van Breda’s conversion just rubbed salt in the wound.

Richmond are back at the Athletic Ground this Saturday 5th February against Cornish Pirates (KO 2pm). Click here to book tickets.

SENIOR RICHMOND RESULTS: