On a heavy pitch, Richmond banked all five league points in the return fixture against Bristol’s Dings Crusaders, to claim an overall three point lead at the top of National One. As the second half of the season unwinds, surprise results can be expected, and this time ninth placed Bishops Stortford helpfully claimed the scalp of the previous league leaders Rams.

Richmond were again affected by injury and unavailability, which is one of the challenges of this stage of the season. Three of last week’s debutants, Greg Kitson, Tololima Savaiinaea and Hamish Murray retained their places, and each performed well. Additionally, Cameron Gray returned at lock, and supersub Toby Saysell started on the bench.

The pitch was soggy from a combination of the previous night’s Championship game and the persistent drizzle which accompanied the day. The ground staff did a fine job in sanding the pitch to the point that both sides were well able to play running rugby.

Dings opened the scoring in the fifth minute. There was a break on the right, where winger Oli Smith looked full of running. The move was well supported and, when the ball was moved back inside to the posts, lock Will Thomson eventually forced his way over for a try converted by Jamie Elswood.

Richmond had their chances in the next ten minutes but couldn’t complete some promising breaks including a strong run from the back from full back Kitson. However, after fifteen minutes, the forwards won a scrum penalty, leading in turn to a five metre line out. The pack drove for the line and, when they were stopped, man of the match Callum Grieve burrowed over. Grieve added a conversion, ending with an excellent 100% success rate from five kicks.

Richmond now looked dominant though Dings were always dangerous on the break. After 25 minutes a kick down the line was very well followed up, Jake Monson pinning the Dings full back Tom Foot and winning a penalty. With a quick tap, Henry Wills was over.

A seven point lead was soon extended to fourteen when a lovely cross field kick from Lewis Dennett was perfectly judged for Monson to run on to and get the touchdown in the left hand corner.

The home pack looked in good order in the tight, but the line outs were less predictable with both sides struggling to control tap ball. Dings failed to gather their ball at a line out thirty metres out, but soon made up for it when a break in the centre was taken on by scrum half Tom Knight. Richmond chased back but could not stop the scoring pass to centre Harry Tarling. The conversion was added by Elswood to take the half time score to 21-14, close enough for Dings to keep interested.

Richmond almost gave Dings more cheer when a cross kick gave away possession and was immediately followed by a charged down clearance kick. Two more penalties were awarded as Richmond tried to fight their way out of the far corner. After a protracted period of defence, they again had the hard working Wills to thank as the flanker provided a vital jackal to earn a penalty and the chance to clear.

Both sides tried to spread the ball, but the damp conditions and some vigorous tackling meant that the ball was often coughed up at vital moments. Richmond finally got back on the scoreboard when a thumping tackle by Luke Spring earned his side a penalty, which Grieve converted.

Two scores ahead with just over 20 minutes to go, Richmond increasingly focussed on pursuit of the bonus point try. Dings’ quick backs were always capable of getting a breakaway so it was always likely that the pack would need to have the final say. Steadily the momentum built, helped by an excellent 50/22 from fly half Dennett. Once again, the forwards worked their way to the posts, but Hamish Murray was just held up.

Dings battled on in a display their director of rugby called ‘their best away performance of the season’ but an error in the 75th minute finally provided one more glimmer for Richmond. When the ball was kicked out on the full, Richmond had a line out near the Dings 22. George Nugent secured possession, but Dings held out at the cost of another penalty. With the clock on 78 minutes, Richmond again won their line out ball and this time the backs crucially added their weight to the forward drive. To a loud roar, Post was the scorer as the Dings defence was finally driven back over the line.

Richmond had their five points and were back on the top of the table.

Team: Kitson, Obonna, Grieve, Savaiinaea, Addams, Dennett, Schwarz, Freeman, Goffey, Spring, Gray, Nugent, Monson, Willis, Pim
Subs: Post, Murray, Saysell, Marsh, O’Meara

Tries: Grieve, Wills, Monson, Post
Conversions: Grieve (4)
Penalty: Grieve