In wet and sometimes very wet conditions, Richmond ground out an excellent victory against a Sale side, who were increasingly squeezed out of the game. Richmond conceded tries in the opening and closing minutes but in between defended with great discipline. Four points from the game lift Richmond to fifth position in the table, just three points behind the second placed team. The unpredictability of the league was once again demonstrated by Leicester Lions’ victory over the previously undefeated leaders, Rams.

The two outstanding players from the previous week, Toby Saysell and Max Murphy were unavailable but this was countered by the return of the experienced Mark Bright and Luc Jones. Bright made a late positional change to the second row, whilst in the back row Henry Wills made a promising debut at blind side flanker. Sale included five young players from Premiership side Sale Sharks.

Sale started confidently, Fergus Mulchrone almost putting Connor Doherty clear but called back for a forward pass. The reprise was brief. At the set scrum near halfway, the Richmond pack were heaved backwards, unable to get any traction on the damp surface. James Robins kicked his side within ten metres and, from the lineout, his team pounded the 22 until Doherty ran a nice diagonal line to crash over.

In the first of a sequence of torrential downpours, the Richmond pack steadied the ship at the second set scrum and Alex Burrage, who managed the conditions very intelligently, put a neat grubber into the corner. Sale initially cleared but Richmond stuck to the task, winning three successive penalties. Finally, after ten minutes, the pack exacted full revenge, shoving their opponents off the ball to retrieve possession. With referee Ben Rayner’s arm extended, Richmond made no mistake, Jake Monson as ever in the midst of the forward’s drive over the line. Ted Landray, who had a good all round game, converted to level the scores.

Sale pulled back three points five minutes later when Luc Jones’ clearance was charged down and Sale were awarded a penalty in front for not rolling away. Richmond again soon levelled the scores, after Alex O’Meara made a lovely outside break from the back, finding Alex Post in good support. The forwards retained possession and this time it was Sale who gave away a penalty under the posts.

With the rain now unrelenting, Richmond were quicker to adapt their game. Scrum half Jones played a key role with his kicking, constantly testing the home defence. Burrage’s line kicking also provided an advantage, getting good distance in contrast with his unfortunate opposite number, who had one of those days.

When Richmond won a penalty for a jackal near halfway, Burrage kicked to twenty metres. O’Meara then got close with a solo effort before the pack set up five metres out. Sale defended well but Jones spotted space and buffeted his way over for an excellent try, converted by Landray.

With Sale frustrated by their own increasing kicking errors, the score remained 10-17 at half time. However, two minutes into the second half, Richmond extended their lead. Sale conceded a penalty for a high tackle and Burrage kicked to seven or eight metres. The pack had a good afternoon in the lineout, courtesy of Ethan Benson, Monson and Bright. This time, they secured possession and quickly got the drive going, Bright eventually emerging with his trademark try celebration. Richmond now lead 10-24.

Sale could find no way to get themselves back into the game and were constantly shunted back towards their 22. Richmond conceded just eight penalties all game and Sale continued to wobble with their kicking. Richmond wanted a fourth try for the bonus point but, in the dismal conditions, waited patiently for errors, Sale full back Tom Brady did not oblige, dealing well with the kicking barrage.

Richmond’s front row were now in control and the team had their best chance with a scrum five in the 66th minutes. However, the referee spotted a hand on the ground and Sale were awarded a scrum penalty and the chance to clear.

With three minutes to go, Sale got their second try which followed a scrappy sequence of play. Sale appeared to knock on and perhaps the defence hesitated. The referee was adamant there was no knock on, and after Monson was clattered trying to scramble the ball back, Luke Spring was forced to hack the loose ball into touch. Five metres out, the Sale forwards made no mistake at the lineout, substitute hooker Rob Makin getting the touchdown in the corner.

Richmond had three minutes to chase the extra point but, remembering previous games lost in the final minute, opted to close the game down and did so efficiently, settling for four points well won.

Player of the Match: Alex Burrage
Tries: Monson, Jones, Bright
Conversions: Landray (3)
Penalties: Landray
Team: A. O’Meara, H.Graham, H.Cheeseman, T.Landray, J.Caddy, A.Burrage, L.Jones, L.Spring, C.Maguire, A.Post, L.Spring, J.Monson, H.Wills, X.Hastings, E.Benson.
Subs: V.Bentley, N.Mpiko, G.Nugent, M.Marsh, J.Bellamy