Under lights on a Friday evening, Richmond scored four tries but conceded nine. This was the first leg of the opening round of the Championship Cup and the result means that Hartpury have opened up a sizeable lead to defend, when Richmond play the return fixture at Hartpury on Saturday 23rd April.

Richmond fielded a ‘development side’, featuring just two of the starting 15 against Ealing. However, all but two of the starters in this game have had a run out in the Championship league team and were keen to make a mark at this level. By contrast Hartpury fielded a familiar first choice league game featuring a number of players with Premiership experience.

Led out by skipper Myles Scott, Richmond got off to a perfect start. Monty Bradbury provided a testing kick-off, which was well followed up. Hartpury were penalised at the initial contact, and Richmond kicked for the corner. Richmond’s player of the match Henri Williams secured the lineout ball, and the forwards set up accurately for the drive. With the backs coming in to support, momentum was maintained and Callum Torpey was the scorer from the back of the maul. Bradbury added the conversion.

With Scott brushing off tackles, Richmond maintained the good start until a high tackle cost a penalty on half-way. Hartpury set up on the edge of the 22 and, when the forward drive was stopped, quickly moved the ball wide. Fullback George Simpson (on loan from Ealing) and winger Sam Smith combined beautifully in a scissors move. Richmond held them out at the corner, but flanker Aled Ward was in support and got the touchdown.

Richmond looked to attack at every opportunity but got their best result when scrum-half James Lennon spotted a gap after a free kick and found an excellent 50/22 touch. Awarded a penalty after a Hartpury player lay offside, Richmond were again able to set up five metres out. Once more, the forwards got a good drive going. When the maul collapsed, referee Craig Maxwell-Keys had no hesitation awarding a penalty try and giving a yellow card to flanker Harry Short.

Richmond seemed well set but once again a high tackle cost them dear. Hartpury secured the lineout ball in the 22 and, when the drive was stalled, moved the ball out. James Williams, on his way to Bristol next season, threw a beautifully weighted long pass in the centre and full back Simpson had an easy run to the corner. Tommy Mathews, an England Under 20 player, added a touchline conversion and went on to kick four more.

After 27 minutes, Hartpury took the lead and held it convincingly for the rest of the game. Hooker Torpey managed to strip the ball after a Hartpury lineout close to the Richmond 22. The ball was moved out to the backs, with clear space ahead, and Owain James kicked long towards the opposition 22. Unfortunately, the ball clipped the touchline on the full, and play was called back for a Hartpury lineout back on the home 22. From the lineout, Hartpury moved the ball wide and then back to the other touchline, pulling in the defence before Sam Smith forced his way over.

Looking increasingly confident, Hartpury quickly added a fourth try two minutes later, Smith the provider this time as Richmond missed a midfield tackle. This time Smith drew the defence before giving a try scoring pass to flanker Harry Short. With the game featuring rolling substitutions, Scott had been rested after just over twenty minutes, Toby Saysell taking over the captaincy. The flanker showcased his attacking flair a few minutes later, when a Richmond attack reached the 22 on the far touchline. Richmond looked boxed in, but Saysell accelerated away and cut a lovely diagonal line at searing pace to race to the posts. Bradbury’s conversion took the half time score to a creditable 19-26.

Richmond rang the changes at half time but had no chance to settle. Within five minutes, Hartpury had added two tries to take the score out to 19-40. Smith scored the first after a superb touchline grubber, which he reached first for an excellent solo try. Then the second came from the only scrum penalty of the game, Hartpury reacting faster with a ‘tap and go’. The initial attack was stopped by a scrambling defence, but Joe Howard was up in support to get the touchdown.

Richmond held out bravely for the next quarter of an hour. They had chances in attack too, but they lacked a steadying hand, final passes too often going astray. Hartpury’s James Williams played the key part in the next try, quick to pick up possession after a tackle, as Richmond tried to run out of their 22. Lively scrum-half Matt Jones was left with a ten-metre scramble to the line.

The penultimate Hartpury try rather summed up the evening, Richmond looking certain to score before a try scoring pass was sent to a Hartpury player. Quick as a flash, Hartpury kicked ahead into space and put the Richmond cover under pressure. A wild pass over the shoulder, intended to retain possession, instead provided Simpson with a straightforward touchdown.

Dale Lemon, who had a good battle with Henri Williams, at the lineout, scored his side’s final try. More positively there was one try still left and, for the second week running, Richmond claimed it in the 80th minute, a testimony to persistence and spirit. Miles Wakeling, making his debut, was put into space and made good yards before looking for support. Creditably, the closest man was prop Vaughan Bentley, who still had a bit to do. Having scrummaged well alongside Ntinga Mpiko, the prop kept his nerve and his legs to score a popular try, converted by Tom Ffitch for his first senior points.

Director of Rugby Steve Hill commented: “Congratulations to Hartpury. They played with a lot of pace. I thought our boys gave a really good account of themselves in the first half. In the second half, Hartpury’s superior fitness and skill levels showed.”

Richmond will face Hartpury University in the second leg of the Championship Cup on Saturday 23rd April at the ALPAS Arena (KO 2:30pm). Click here for match tickets.

FINAL SCORE: RICHMOND 26 - HARTPURY UNIVERSITY 61

Tries: Callum Torpey (1st min), Penalty Try (15th min), Toby Saysell (37th min), Vaughan Bentley (79th min)

Conversions: Monty Bradbury (1st min), Tom Fitch (79th min)