Richmond ended a long, demanding season with one of their most memorable and unexpected victories. Fielding a young, inexperienced team away against good Championship opposition, Richmond turned around a first half 19-0 deficit to win the game 36-40 in the final minute. Hartpury will still deservedly go through to the next round on the basis of the overall scores across the two legs, but Richmond were certainly the happier side at the end of this game.

Hartpury were full of confidence at the start of the afternoon. The tannoy announcer set the scene by announcing, in advance of the game,
that they would be playing Jersey on Friday in the next round. Hartpury again fielded their regular Championship side, though led out by Bristol warhorse Iain Grieve in his final season. Richmond stuck to the plan to give a chance to the wider squad in the Cup games and introduced three more players new to Championship rugby. Alex Burrage was selected at at fly-half, whilst George Nugent and Rhys Lewis started on the seven man bench. The Cup substitution rules allowed them 12 ‘interchanges’.

With a strong and unpredictable breeze blowing, Richmond started against the elements and conceded a try after just four minutes. Strangely penalised for a ‘slap down', they could not stop the Hartpury drive from the five metre lineout, and hooker Will Crane got the touchdown in the left corner. Five minutes later, Hartpury had doubled their score with a similar try in the other corner, this time finished by flanker Harry Short. The only saving grace for Richmond was that Bristol bound James Williams missed both difficult kicks, and it was the conversions which were to decide the match at the end.

Slightly shell shocked by the opening salvo, Richmond struggled to get into the game, small errors under pressure setting them back time and again. After 20 minutes, a high tackle further cost them dear, Hartpury completing their hat-trick of tries from short range lineouts. Their lineout routine and set up was excellent throughout and well practiced. On this occasion, Richmond held the drive but had no answer when the ball was moved out. Bristol dual-registration Diago Bailey touched down under the posts, Williams converting. After 20 minutes, Richmond were 19-0 and supporters were watching glumly through their fingers. However, it was all about to change.

Awarded an offside penalty, Richmond took a tap and run, with plenty of hands involved in the follow up. Most noticeably front row members Luke Spring and Callum Torpey played prominent roles, before Miles Wakeling got the score, converted by Alex Burrage for his first Championship points. The relief was brief. Bailey scored his second five minutes later, the try stemming from a failed interception attempt in defence.

The key turning point of the game probably followed in the last ten minutes of the half. Once again, momentum came from a tapped penalty, and this time the move was finished by the hard working Oscar Waite. Ted Landray, on for the injured Burrage, converted. Three minutes later, Richmond had their third try. Josh Walters intercepted well and looked around for support to find Ben Robbins tracking him well. The winger made 25 metres before being caught by the cover, but the ball was protected, and possession retained. This time the excellent Ntinga Mpiko picked his spot carefully and touched down under the posts for another converted try and a 26-19 half-time score.

Richmond now had the wind in their favour, but Hartpury were still expected to pull away. However, opinions may have changed when Richmond scored their fourth try to level the scores. Making good progress from a lineout won by Henri Williams, Richmond pounded the line until a penalty set up another tap and go, and Waite got his second try.

Richmond now looked much more dangerous in attack despite the loss to injury of three of their starting backs. At fly-half Landray provided more experienced game management. The defence now looked more robust, the centres working together well, whilst Wakeling, Waite and Torpey were prominent throughout. However, in the 60th minute, a potential Richmond try was denied by the whistle as referee Greg McDonald stopped play for some protracted fisticuffs. Hartpury were awarded the penalty and used the impetus to work their way to the left corner, prop Mitch Walsh driving over from a short range lineout. When they added yet another similar try five minutes later by No 8 Aled Ward, the game looked over at 36-26, with Hartpury one of the fittest teams in the league.

After 71 minutes, Richmond gave themselves a chance. Fullback Owain James had looked increasingly dangerous running the ball back from fullback, and this time he chipped and gathered, working with debutant Rhys Lewis. With the defence breached, there was an inviting gap and Vaughan Bentley charged to the line on a good day for the front-row (bar a late injury to Npiko).

The final chance came with two minutes left. A wonderful tackle by Wakeling was key, gaining his side a penalty. A successful kick at goal would have tied the game but Richmond opted to go for the try. Landray got his team within ten metres and possession was secured at the lineout. The drive slowly gained traction as the forwards worked to find the right angle. Finally skipper Myles Scott broke off and powered over for the crucial try, a deserved recognition of his wholehearted efforts. There was no time for Hartpury to kick-off and Richmond had secured one of their gutsiest and bravest victories of the season.

Director of Rugby Steve Hill commented: “I was incredibly pleased with the performance today. We dug in really well hard in the second half. We were giving quite a number of boys their first chance in the team and a number of them stepped up really well. I was really proud of them.”

FINAL SCORE: HARTPURY UNIVERSITY 36 - RICHMOND 40

Tries: Miles Wakeling (25th min), Oscar Waite (30th, 46th min), Vaughan Bentley (75th min), Myles Scott (80th min)

Conversions: Alex Burrage (25th min), Ted Landray (39th, 46th, 75th, 80th min)