Richmond 24 Rosslyn Park 31

On a scorching September day, Richmond held the lead for all but the last ten minutes or so but eventually had to concede to opponents Rosslyn Park, who held sway in the last half hour. Park take five points from the game whilst Richmond take one, leaving them eleventh in the table after two tough and tantalisingly close games.

After the agony of last minute defeat the previous week, Richmond had to deal with a substantial casualty list, especially among the backs. Already missing a number of other backs, both half backs, centre and full back had to be replaced. With misfortune comes opportunity, and two eighteen-year olds Sean Kerr and Tom Humphreys made club debuts whilst full back Max Bliss, ex Exeter University, made his first start.

Whatever the reorganisation, Richmond made a fine start and dominated the opening quarter. By contrast, Park looked nervous making a number of mistakes in the face of some aggressive defence.

After five minutes, fly half Tom Wilstead kicked out on the full, giving Richmond a line out some 35 metres out. Skipper Mark Bright secured the line out ball and Richmond swiftly moved the ball down the line where Kerr had already made an impression with his direct running. This time It was Ted Landray who was provider, half breaking a tackle to set his other centre Jake Caddy on a direct line to the posts. Caddy still had plenty to do but his acceleration left Park no chance of catching him. Landray added the conversion.

Five minutes later, Richmond doubled their lead. Alex O’Meara made an outside break and kicked ahead to the opposition 22 and Park were penalised for obstruction. From the short range line out, the forwards set up a drive before Chris Te Mete picked and drove his way over. Landray again added the conversion and Richmond had just the start they needed.

However, at this stage, Rosslyn Park, fortified by the first of four water breaks, awoke from their slumbers. Richmond conceded two penalties in quick succession, one from an attempted turnover and then one for offside. The defence worked hard to keep out the Park forwards but had no answer when Luke Baldwin threw a long pass to winger Charlie Walker who dived in at the corner.

Having been marooned in their own half, Park now put the home defence under more pressure. Wilstead missed a penalty chance but full back James Stokes looked full of running and made good ground every time he got the ball. Richmond were not helped by knocks to both Matt Marsh and try scorer Caddy, requiring both to be replaced before half time.

After half an hour, Richmond, having looked in control at the scrums, were penalised as the scrum swung round. This gave Park a chance to set up five metres out and, when the ball was switched back to the posts, it was inevitably Stokes who twirled round to get the touch down and take the score to 14-12. In the last action before half time, Park came round the side of the maul, and Landray extended Richmond’s lead to five points.

Park were soon back in the home 22 but Richmond held out well, grateful for another scrum penalty in their favour. A high tackle by Matt Gordon provided the opportunity for Landray to kick very well to fifteen metres. The forwards mounted a drive and, when Park stopped progress illegally, referee Alan Chandrachud signalled a penalty try and a yellow card for Park’s Will Burrton. Richmond now led 24-12 but it was to prove not enough.

Despite the disparity in numbers, Rosslyn Park applied the pressure in the next ten minutes. The home defence worked very hard to hold out and, on the only occasion Park broke the line, a knock on saved the day. Richmond had fewer chances, Jake Monson once charging free but the follow up was too laboured.

The spell broke in the 63rd minute, following a neat kick down the line by Park, which earned them a five metre line out. When the line out throw was adjudged crooked, Richmond then made a mess of clearing their scrum ball and let Park turn over possession. Park quickly spun the ball and winger Josh Addams had an easy run to the corner, the conversion putting them within one score.

Five minutes later, Park had the lead. Once again, a scrum penalty was key, allowing the Park pack to batter the line from deep in the 22. The Richmond defence could not hold out this time and Burton dived over, Wilstead’s conversion giving them a two point lead with just over ten minutes to go.

Struggling to get back into the Park half, and with no back replacements available, Richmond had limited options. When they did open up from their 22, the ball was lost in the centre and Patrick Kelly kicked ahead, the momentum perfect as he gathered possession and dived over.

Park deserved the victory though there was very little in it. Richmond will be frustrated but travel to Taunton next week and will look for a first win to give the early season some extra momentum.

Tries: Caddy, Te Mete, Penalty try
Conversions: Landray (2)
Penalty: Landray

Team: M.Bliss, A. O’Meara, J.Caddy, S.Kerr, H. Graham, T.Landray, M.Marsh, C.Maguire, A.Post, J.Litchfield, C. Te Mete, J. Monson, D.Massey, T.Saysell, M.Bright.
Subs: N. Mpiko, V. Bentley, E. Benson, R. Butler, T. Humphreys