Richmond 29 Worcester 41

In a rousing Easter Saturday game, a defiant Richmond side closely contested this game all the way to the final whistle. Richmond fully earned a league point with five tries against second placed Worcester, but a second league point would not have been unreasonable on merit.

Whilst many of the Champ league games are closely fought, the full time sides generally show the significant advantages of their extra training and conditioning. However, Richmond really rose to the occasion, playing with flair in attack and with huge heart in defence. It was probably Worcester’s extra accuracy which ultimately split the sides, but the visitors had to dig deep for their victory.

Richmond had made a number of changes, especially in the backs. Winger Paul Altier, working his way back after seven months out, was given his first start. On the bench, Charles Gallen and Teddy Gibson made first team debuts after good seasons with the Vikings.

In front of a crowd over 1,300, Richmond were led out by Luke Spring, celebrating his proud club 100th cap whilst Chidera Obonna closely followed in recognition of his 50th cap. A strong Worcester squad reflected their determination to hold on to their runners-up place in the table where they are closely pursued by Bedford Blues and Coventry.

Worcester kicked off and immediately had Richmond under pressure in their 22. Richmond briefly escaped but an over the shoulder kick was well followed up by ex Bears winger Siva Naulago. When the ball was recycled, quick hands soon opened up a gap big enough for outside centre James Short to storm though to the line untouched. This early try, in the second minute, was a test of Richmond’s confidence but they soon showed that they were well up for the fight.

In the line outs, the forwards pressed Worcester all game whilst the scrums were evenly contested. In the backs, the outstanding Paddy Case was the first to show the way, with his clean break setting up his side in the 22. However, the Warriors’ defence was resolute and a long period of attacking pressure was eventually lost by an over ambitious kick.

Miles Wakeling was prominent all game in the back row, with one early jackal winning a penalty and boosting morale. However, after fifteen minutes, Richmond conceded a second try when they lost possession in the Warriors’ 22. Full back Will Trewin was quick to spot the opportunity to counter and, around the half way line, put in a smart kick ahead, reached first by Wales scrum half Lloyd Williams, who got the touchdown.

Richmond were getting plenty of ball, but momentum was culled by the forceful Worcester defence which kept forcing Richmond back. One deep kick into the 22 provided a good opportunity but was lost by a high tackle as Richmond pressed. However, when Richmond were next awarded a penalty, they were able to set up around eight metres out. Savaiinaea did well to stay on his feet at a key moment and Lewis Dennett tried a kick to the corner as advantage was called. Richmond were then quicker to respond and after a tap and go, Wakeling was the man to power over.

Freddie Clarke cleared well after the kick off, but the ball had been carried back inside the 22 and Worcester had a line out twenty metres out. Richmond defended very well but at the cost of a penalty. From five metres, Worcester made no mistake. Richmond again did very well to hold the forward drive but scrum half Williams was wily enough to use the blindside and throw a try scoring pass to Naulago.

5-15 behind, Richmond responded within three minutes. Case, playing at his best, again made an outside break before passing to Altier. The winger had the final defender to beat and did so with impressive ease. Dennett added the first conversion of the match on a windy afternoon, and Richmond were within three points at 12-15.

It soon got better than that. Worcester mounted an attack down the right touchline, but Altier anticipated the pass, picked it off and ran forty metres out into the corner, his pace allowing him the chance to celebrate the try in advance. Within three minutes the winger had scored his first and then his second Richmond try.

There was still time for one more try before halftime, and danger man Naulago, well set up by his fellow backs, showed incisive pace to power through midfield for a breathless 17-22 score.

The next seventeen minutes were every bit as creditable for Richmond but this time defensively as they held out under huge pressure, pegged back in their 22. Worcester tried a refresh of their forwards with the introduction of five substitutes in one go. Still Richmond held out till substitute lock Hallam Challenger finally forced his way over.

Richmond almost worked the elusive Kitson into clear space, but the final pass just went astray. Instead, it was again Warriors’ turn next, and ex Wasp Josh Bassett finally found a way to touch down in the corner despite desperate tackles by Obonna and Kitson.

17-34 down, Richmond needed to retain their focus and they certainly did. A penalty from another jackal allowed Grieve to kick to thirty metres. From the line out, the forwards powered into the 22 and forced the Warriors back into desperate defence. Referee Harry Walbaum signalled a sequence of penalties and finally Kitson put in a neat grubber over the try line. Who would get there first? Once again it was man of the match Altier, claiming his hat trick and the team’s bonus score.

Five minutes remained. First, Tiff Eden scored an irritating interception try for Worcester. But Richmond were not done and were in fact determined to end on a positive note. Despite tired legs they somehow worked their way up field into the 22, with Case and Altier again to the fore. With the clock in the red, the team stayed patient and finally fed the ball back to determined substitute Ronnie Du Randt, who weaved his way to the line. Grieve converted, and the celebrations of that excellent 100th cap for Luke Spring could begin in earnest.

Rob Powell commented afterwards: ‘The boys had a massive point to prove today. Last week, in the final 25 minutes, they didn’t show the normal grit and resilience we expect. So, they had a big point to prove this week and I thought today we really mixed it against what is a full time, high class professional team.

We matched them in lots of areas today and the boys really stuck at it. To be honest I am really disappointed not to get two points today. So, a really good effort today and really good to build momentum today and get back on the horse after last week. I am proud of the lads’.

Team: G.Kitson, C.Obonna, P.Case, T.Savainaea, P.Altier, L.Dennett, F.Charles, T.Bevacqua, W.Goffey, L.Spring, J. Monson, G.Nugent, M.Wakeling, A.Hastings, S.Pim
Subs H.Hocking, S.Brownhill, T.Gibson,, F.Hosking, J.Cardew, CGallen, C.Grieve, R.Du Randt,

Tries: Wakeling, Altier (3), Du Randt
Conversion: Dennett, Grieve