On a good club day with five sides cheering each other on at the RAG, the first fifteen fought hard against a combative Cinderford side but were ultimately swept away by a sea of penalties, conceding eleven in a fractious second half and seventeen in total. The result leaves Richmond sixth in the table, still in touch, with results unpredictable and leaders Rams losing their second successive game.

After a deluge in the previous 48 hours, the pitch was still firm under foot, a triute to the work done by the ground staff. Richmond made three changes to the side, who won well at Sale, Toby Saysell and Max Murphy returning whilst there was a debut in the centre for Tom Hitchcock.

The visitors got off to the better start, dominating territory in part because of two penalties in the first ten minutes, which set the tone for the game. Nevertheless, the Richmond defence looked in very good order, Ethan Benson and Toby Saysell as ever to the fore but the whole side looking very well organised and aggressive in the tackle. Despite keeping the ball, Cinderford were steadily forced back.

However, after thirteen minutes, the visitors opened the scoring. A penalty, followed by a knock on, allowed Cinderford to set up in the 22 and this time they chipped the defensive line. Richmond had plenty of time to deal with it, but a greasy ball proved elusive. Cinderford hacked the ball on and grabbed possession, two smart passes allowing winger Matt Jones to touch down wide out on the right.

Richmond had an early chance to counter, awarded the first of just three penalties all game. At last they had an opportunity in the opposition 22 but, fifteen metres out, they lost the line out ball.

By contrast, Cinderford used a penalty for a high tackle to set up twelve metres out. They then barraged the line through a number of phases but were held out by more excellent defence. When Richmond man of the match Luc Jones kicked clear, it seemed that the pressure had been relieved but Cinderford persisted. This time, they drove from the line out to ten metres and the Richmond defence were again pinged for a high tackle in front. Referee Jamie Parr issued Richmond with a warning and fly half Joe Winfield kicked the penalty.

Up to this moment, play had been concentrated around the home 22 but finally Richmond got a chance to get up the other end. Their final penalty of the game in the 25th minute was awarded for a tackle in the air. Alex Burrage kicked to fifteen yards, the pack drove forward with good momentum and Luc Jones sniped round the blindside, running clear to touch down under the posts. Burrage converted and supporters hoped this well organised try would inspire a change of momentum.

In fact, there were no more scores before half time. Henry Cheeseman and Alex O’Meara tried opening up from their own 22 and Jones was always looking for gaps, but they could not break out. However, just after the half hour, they did get a good chance, probably their best of the match. Cinderford overthrew at a line out just inside their 22 and the ball went straight to Ntinga Mpiko at the back. The prop set straight off for the line and made good progress before being hauled down a couple of metres short. Forwards were quickly in support, but they were rudely interrupted by the now familiar sound of the whistle, presumably penalised for coming off their feet.

So, a frustrating first half ended, with the Richmond defence in definite credit, but the side needing more ball and territory. In fact, chances remained limited. For Cinderford, Callum Thompson made sure his side secured their line out ball whilst prop Harry Edwards was a lively presence in the open.

Scrums in the second half were getting increasingly messy with a number of resets making little difference. Neither side had an obvious advantage. After 48 minutes, the referee decided he had had enough and, at a Richmond scrum, awarded Cinderford a penalty, straight and just over thirty metres out. Winfield made no mistake and he took the score to 7-11.

When Cinderford kicked straight out, trying to win an opportunistic 50/22, Richmond had another chance but, just as they built momentum, a knock on stalled all progress, swiftly followed by an offside penalty. Then Richmond stole a line out to set up another attack but, when Cinderford cleared, Richmond knocked on picking up the ball. Frustration built and was now further fuelled by eight penalties against them in the last quarter.

Mr Parr issued warnings to both sides as tempers frayed. He now penalised Richmond at both scrum and line out, whilst another high tackle allowed Winfield to take out the score to 7-14. Cheeseman offered a last moment of hope with a neat well gathered chip and kick through but this time a forward pass followed.

Inevitably, a yellow card finally ensued, Jimmy Litchfield picked out as a driving maul was stopped. The visitors needed no second invitation and kicked to within six metres before driving over, hooker Nathan Taylor at the back. Five minutes remained, time for one more penalty for Winfield before the whistle was mercifully blown.

Player of the Match: Luc Jones
Tries: Jones
Conversions: Burrage
Team: A. O’Meara, H.Graham, H.Cheeseman, T. Hitchcock, J.Caddy, A.Burrage, L.Jones, L.Spring, A.Post, N.Mpiko, J.Monson, M.Murphy, H.Wills, T.Saysell, E.Benson.
Subs: C.Maguire, J.Litchfield, G.Nugent, M.Petrozzi, S.Kerr