Taunton Titans 14 Richmond 29

After two narrow and frustrating defeats, Richmond battled hard to earn a full five points from their journey to Taunton. Once again, they got an excellent start and then wobbled a bit, but this time they stuck to the task and finally scored the decisive fourth try in the 77th minute. The win lifts them to ninth in a very tightly grouped table, Rams now being the only side to remain undefeated.

On an autumnal day about fifteen degrees milder than the previous week, Richmond fielded a side with several changes, most of them in the backs where injury again restricted options. Alex Burrage was the third starting fly half in three games, but Tom Smith returned and started on the bench. There were two first team debutants, James Whitehouse getting a run out on the wing and Xavier Hastings starting on the bench as back row cover.

Richmond could not have started in more convincing fashion. They won back the kick off ball and drove forward, attracting a high tackle from a Taunton defender. Given the first of sixteen penalties, Richmond took full advantage. Ethan Benson secured the line out ball, the pack drove to the line and the hard working Alex Post got the touchdown with the clock barely showing two minutes gone. Sean Kerr was given kicking duties and impressed, nailing four kicks out of five.

A strange sight ensued in the following minute when Ntinga Mpiko found himself lifted and slung back in the air. Referee Callum Watson duly yellow carded No 8 Sam Prior. Richmond were totally dominant in the first quarter, both line out and set scrum going well. They had several chances to add to their score, but small handling and alignment errors cost them dear. The best chance followed a break by the belligerent Jake Monson, who was tackled a metre short, but the support was too slow.

When Richmond were given a fifth penalty after twenty minutes, they opted to go for the posts and Kerr obliged from just over thirty metres. The ten point lead lasted for around a minute. Richmond conceded their first penalty for a high tackle and this enabled the Titans to set up for the first time in the 22. From the line out, they moved the ball down the line and flanker Charlie Wright, ex Exeter Chiefs, had an easy route to the line. Frankie Dart’s conversion cut Richmond’s lead to three points and gave an obvious boost to Taunton.

With some gentle drizzle persisting, both sides continued to make handling errors though some of Taunton’s woes were down to aggressive Richmond defence, with Benson always prominent. On the half hour, Richmond finally added to their score. The pack once again mounted an effective shove and won a penalty, from which Burrage kicked into the 22. Benson was again the provider, but this time Richmond attacked down the short side and some good hands sent Whitehouse speeding in for his first club try.

In the last minute of the half, Richmond had another good opportunity, when Taunton drifted offside to concede their ninth penalty and were given a warning. Richmond set up a driving maul to the line, but the home defence just held out.

The Titans got an early boost in the second half, after a penalty kick set them up ten metres out. The Richmond defence appeared to be in control but, when the ball went loose, Taunton reacted quicker and the lively centre Toby Clinch got the touchdown, Dart adding the conversion. With the score 14-15, Richmond needed to regain the momentum.

Alex O’Meara did his best to add some pace from the back and one break almost sent Whitehouse away, but a foot was in touch. Kerr in the centre ran powerfully and one lovely clean break saw him make a forty metre break but Richmond could not finish. Taunton full back Greg Kitson similarly broke the defensive line but was hauled down by his opposite number in the 22.

When the breakthrough did happen, it was the pack which provided the score. Courtesy of a scrum free kick, followed by a penalty, Richmond had a line out ten metres out. The forwards got a good drive going and, when stopped, Hastings was the second debutant to claim a try, Kerr importantly taking the lead out to two scores.

Taunton now had their most determined period of play,
as they set up in the Richmond 22 and barraged the line. For seven or eight minutes, the Richmond defence was thoroughly tested and came out well. This was the crucial period of the match and Taunton were fuelled by the award of successive penalties. Finally, from a five metre line out, the Richmond pack drove their opponents back and the siege was lifted.

The challenge now turned to adding the vital fourth try. The penalty count was back in Richmond’s favour and the Titans were given a warning. Deep in the 22, Richmond had another short range line out and again mounted a drive. This time, they held on to the ball and stayed patient and fittingly it was Toby Saysell, who got the touchdown as Taunton were driven backwards.

Richmond deserved the win and played with great spirit in clinching the five points. Excellent in the set piece, they will reduce the frustrating errors as combinations become more familiar.

Tries: Post, Whitehouse, Hastings, Saysell
Conversions: Kerr (3)
Penalty: Kerr
Team: A. O’Meara, M.Bliss, H.Graham, S.Kerr, J.Whitehouse, A.Burrage, M.Marsh, C.Maguire, A.Post, N.Mpiko, C.Te Mete, J. Monson, E.Benson, T.Saysell, M.Bright.
Subs: J.Litchfield, V. Bentley, X.Hastings, R. Butler, T. Smith