Richmond 24 Darlington Mowden Park 34

Richmond experienced a disappointing afternoon against long distance visitors DMP, who played a lot better than their playing record had suggested. Richmond conceded four tries in the opening 28 minutes, leaving a 26 point gap which was too much to chase. However, they did retrieve one bonus point which leaves them in sixth place in the table, four places higher than their opponents.

Once again, Richmond had a number of changes to their line-up, especially in the backs. Injury and unavailability provided opportunity for Alec Coombes and Jake Caddy to make welcome returns, whilst Alex Burrage and Matt Marsh combined at half back for only the second time this season. Matteo Petrozzi made his first team debut as replacement scrum half and in the pack, George Nugent made his first start in the second row.

On a freakishly warm October afternoon, Richmond started with high energy, an early penalty allowing them to set up in the 22. Alex O’Meara and Toby Saysell almost contrived a score, but the crucial pass was knocked on. A minute later, DMP broke back and Richmond were obliged to a Saysell tackle to prevent any score.

After seven minutes, the first score did follow, and it came from the visitors. A Richmond attack came to an indecisive finish and resulted in a penalty, which gave DMP good possession in the Richmond half The home defence seemed to have things under control, but winger Ollie Walker found a scything diagonal line before sending skipper Will Jones in for the try, converted by Josh Ree.

Richmond looked more than capable of countering and a line out drive ended with the hard working Max Murphy sending Saysell close, but the defence was robust and the ball was jolted out of his hands.

In the twenty-first minute, DMP added a second try. A high tackle resulted in a penalty, kicked to seven or eight metres. The chance seemed to have been lost when the ball was overthrown and Saysell was inevitably the first to respond. However, a horrible bounce ceded possession to DMP and No 8 Ollie Hodgson had a straightforward touch down, again converted by Ree.

Richmond needed to get the next score but instead conceded two more tries in the next seven minutes. The first followed a penalty for offside, providing a line out 25 metres out. The strong running Harry Yates blasted his way through the defensive line after which the ball was moved out to winger Callum Mackenzie. The winger still had a bit to do but finished well, angling his way to the line for a 0-19 score.

Two minutes later, it was again Yates who set up the next try. Powering his way through the middle, he looked for support. Luke Spring was covering well but tackled his man early and got a yellow card. From the short range line out, DMP went down the blindside and hooker Charlie Smith got the score. The score was 0-26 and Richmond had fourteen men.

At this stage Richmond raised their game. Alex O’Meara made one of several clean breaks from the back, but his kick ahead just eluded the chasing Jake Caddy. It was the forwards’ turn next as they turned the screw, pummelling the try line and heaving the DMP set scrum backwards. Five penalties ensued, together with a warning, before Richmond finally got their deserved score. From a five metre line out, a well rehearsed short throw found Saysell on the charge and there was no way to stop him.

Richmond started the second half with an extra physical intensity, some crunching tackles matched by some more forceful attack. Unfortunately, at this stage, Richmond lost the injured Alex Coombes who had looked lively in the first half. The penalty count, which had cost Richmond dear, now turned in their favour as the front row drew successive penalties. DMP flanker Joe Craggs got a yellow as the pressure built and finally Ntinga Mpiko claimed a try for the front row with a pick and drive.

Richmond had a sniff of a turnaround but were dealt a blow when Ree kicked a penalty to take his side’s lead back out to three scores. However, Richmond got their third try soon afterwards as the scrum marched DMP off their ball and Caddy completed a move involving O’Meara and skipper Post. Alex Burrage’s conversion took the score to 19-29 with seventeen minutes to go.

It proved to be as close as Richmond got. They had the chances, but tantalising errors denied them. With twelve minutes left, Richmond again heaved their opponents off the ball but then lost possession in the opposition 22. DMP countered, won a penalty on half way and kicked to thirty metres. From there they gained good yards before moving the ball left. A lovely long pass finally found Yates and the big centre powered home into the corner.

Richmond had seven minutes to improve the score and earn some bonus points. O’Meara and Saysell almost provided the stardust, the full back secure under a high ball before sprinting into space and the flanker, legs pumping, in inevitable support. It should have resulted in a try but instead Richmond were pinged under the posts.

This time Richmond really stuck to the task and might have had a penalty try when another drive seemed to be pulled down. Instead Craggs got a second yellow card and from six metres the pack drove over, Alex Post claiming the bonus point try.

In the 79th minutes, Richmond got within a couple of metres from a ten metre line out and looked bound to claim a second bonus point but the support was too slow to back up Mpiko. It was that sort of day. Credit to DMP but Richmond, who fought back well, will be frustrated by that first half.

Tries: Saysell, Mpiko, Caddy, Post
Conversions: Burrage (2)
Team: A. O’Meara, H.Graham, J.Caddy, H.Cheeseman, A.Coombes, A.Burrage, M.Marsh, L.Spring, A.Post, J.Litchfield, G.Nugent, M.Murphy, J.Monson, T.Saysell, E.Benson.
Subs: C.Maguire, N. Mpiko, X.Hastings, M.Petrozzi, T. Landray