Richmond started the 2026/27 season with a pre-season match against traditional old rivals Swansea, who were playing their second match of the new season. Their first game against the much fancied National One promotion candidates Plymouth Albion had resulted in a 36-33 win for the Welsh. Whilst pre-season fixtures are hard to gauge, Richmond’s win by 61-29 was therefore an encouraging result.

The format of the fixture was set to comprise three half hour periods. Swansea fielded a side very little changed from that first game whilst Richmond started with eight players who played in the end of season play off against London Scottish, whilst a further four were on the bench. Six newcomers had a run out late in the afternoon whist lock Charlie Bell from Exeter Chiefs was the one new starter, impressing after coming in for the departed George Nugent.

Despite the relentless summer heatwave, the pitch was in admirably good condition and, tested by some hefty collisions, neither side appeared to suffer any significant injuries.

In the first half hour, Richmond were very much the dominant side, leading 19-0 after three tries. The favourable penalty count of seven to nil indicates the pressure Richmond managed to apply against their opponents. The forwards provided reliable ball at both scrum and line out and Swansea struggled to escape their 22. The first two tries were scored by the wingers, Chid Obonna contemptuously dismissing the last defender for the first before Josh Addams ran in a lovely pass by Jason Baggott. Finally, J. J. O’Dea, who made a good impression at No 8, ran in a try scoring pass from Jake Monson.

In the second half, Richmond increased the pressure, scoring another four tries to take the score to 47-5. James Langston, who played well in attack and defence, deservedly got the fourth try, helped by an arcing run by Paddy Case. Swansea’s Brandon Wood next interrupted Richmond’s progress, powerfully storming through a big gap in the home defence. The visitors almost had a second try soon afterwards but the game Matt Marsh tackled well at the corner.

Archie Brosch claimed the fifth try, completing an initial break by Addams. It was probably Will Roddy who was the scorer of the next and it was undoubtedly Addams, who scored the seventh to claim a hat trick after a length of the field run in which he demonstrated both his pace and his footballing skills.

Swansea had the best of the final half hour as Richmond rang the changes and gave time to newcomers who were adjusting to new formations. Joe Thomas, Kai Inker and Luke Price scored the Welsh tries, as Swansea showed plenty of heart in closing the gap from 47-5 to 61-29 in the last half hour. For Richmond, Sam Reynolds scored the eighth try on a good afternoon for the Oxford University contingent, and the promising Tom Riman scored the final try of the match, Callum Grieve inevitably adding the conversion.

Starters: C.Grieve, C.Obonna, P.Case, J.Langston, J.Addams, J.Baggott, M.Marsh, T.Bevacqua, W.Goffey, L.Spring, F.Hosking, C.Bell, J.Monson, J.Cardew, J.J.O’Dea

Replacements: W.Roddy, C.Freeman, E.Nixon, T.Gibson, M.Wakeling, F.Dick, H.Culverhouse, C.Swanson, L.Dennett, T.Riman, S.Dardis

Tries: Obonna, Addams (3), O.Dea, Langston, Brosch, Roddy, Riman
Conversions: Grieve (6), Dennett (2)