Regular Richmond followers this season now brace themselves knowingly for the agonies of games decided in the final minute. Just as in the previous game against Taunton, Richmond conceded a penalty in the 80th minute and the result hung on the success or failure of the opposition kicker.

This time it was a long kick, but Luke Bouchier took responsibility and gave the ball a sufficient whack to clear the posts with something in hand. It was Richmond’s seventh defeat by seven points or less this season, leaving them in a frustrating seventh place.

Richmond fielded a strong looking team, welcoming back centre Paddy Case after a long period out with injury. Ethan Benson was also back after a shorter time out and both Alex Post and Luc Jones (on the bench) resumed familiar duties. Luke Spring lead the team out on his 50th first team appearance.

On a warmer day than of late, Leicester Lions were first on the scoreboard following a scrum penalty converted by Dan Lewis. However, Richmond countered within a couple of minutes, making full use of a penalty against the Lions for a high tackle. Ted Landray found a good touch five metres out, the pack drove forward, supplemented by the backs, and skipper Alex Post claimed his twelfth try of the season. Landray’s tricky conversion thudded against the posts.

Looking confident, Richmond added a second try six minutes later. Alex O’Meara threaded a well-judged kick into the 22, forcing an error from the Lions defender. From the scrum, Richmond quickly moved the ball down the line, losing some momentum with the pass to Henry Cheeseman behind him. The centre moved to winger for today’s game, recovered well to regain impetus and some neat interplay resulted in Case getting a welcome first try back in the 14th minute.

Richmond seemed to be in full control and added a third try just three minutes later. A turnover by Benson provided the chance for Matt Marsh to launch a steeper, which was dropped by the Lions defender. When a penalty followed, Richmond had an attacking lineout fifteen metres out. The pack again drove forward well before Marsh spotted a gap and nipped through the blindside for a neat try, converted from the touchline by Landray.

With the score 17-3 at the end of the first quarter, it was looking like a convincing Richmond day. However, somehow, Richmond now lost their domination, and the Lions had their first chances near the Richmond line. Inevitably a succession of penalties provided part of the explanation, a high tackle followed by a scrum penalty and then one for not rolling away.

However, the Richmond defence looked convincing, regularly forcing the Lions backwards with aggressive tackling. They also created one good chance with a lovely sequence of play which frustratingly ended with a penalty conceded in the opposition corner. Chidera Obonna also made a good break on the wing and showed his potential with some clever footwork.

In the last ten minutes of the half, the Lions returned to the attack and a boot upfield drew a penalty as full back O’Meara was isolated. Four penalties followed in quick sequence, one of them the third scrum penalty of the game. Finally, in the 40th minute, Leicester Academy No 8 Simon Koroiyadi forced his way over, and Lewis’ conversion left the half time score 17-10.

The Lions changed their tight head prop at half time, Aaron Dawson joining experienced loose head Tom Williams. When the first scrum of the half again resulted in a penalty, Richmond too made a switch, Barnaby Vaughan replacing Archie Maggs.

The challenge in the tight got bigger when Richmond were warned for their penalty count and then lost Ethan Benson to the inevitable yellow card. After a number of re-sets, the next scrum wheeled round at pace, opening up a space for winger Jake Sterland to run in an easy try.

Apart from the set scrums, Richmond still looked the more fluent in attack. Tom Hitchcock made a powerful break, but the forwards were held up as they then barraged the line. Nevertheless, Richmond held out well with fourteen men and there was no further score before Benson returned.

Richmond’s lineout was working well and provided another chance ten metres out. Frustratingly a knock on close to the line halted progress and was followed by another scrum penalty. After 62 minutes, Richmond were penalised for a high tackle, and Lewis made no mistake with his kick, giving his side a 17-18 lead.

With referee Ben Rayner now firmly persuaded in his interpretation of the scrums, Richmond had limited quality possession. Despite this, they created the best chances, David Massey providing some thunderous charges and Jake Monson powering into the full back ten metres out.

With less than ten minutes to go, Richmond made another front row change, Massey switching positions to replace Vaughan. Briefly, it worked as the Richmond pressure drew a penalty and Landray put his side back in the lead with six minutes to go.

A minute later, Landray intercepted in clear space as Lions tried to break out and for a few seconds he seemed to be outpacing his pursuers. However, all progress was stopped when the unfortunate Landray, pulled up abruptly clutching his leg. It was an expensive moment as the fly half must have knocked on as he fell. The Lions were given the scrum and then awarded another scrum penalty.

Richmond had two minutes to hold out and to avoid conceding either a scrum or a penalty. They managed to hold on to their own ball from the next set scrum but had to find touch from the loose ball which emerged. The Lions worked their way just over halfway and Richmond were pinged for offside.

There was lengthy debate among the Lions as the regular kicker Lewis clearly felt the distance was too far for him. Up stepped Bouchier, who had demonstrated a hefty boot with his line kicking. His confidence was well placed, and the Lions’ wild celebrations soon began.

Tries: Post, Case, Marsh
Conversion: Landray
Penalty: Landray
PoTM: Nugent
Yellow Carded: Benson

Team: O’Meara, Obonna, Case, Hitchcock, Cheeseman, Landray, Marsh, Spring, Post, Maggs, Monson, Nugent, Benson, Massey, Bright

Replacements: Lloyd, Vaughan, Wills, Jones, Dennett