London Scottish 17 Richmond 24

After a wholehearted and fully committed performance against the auld enemy, Richmond deservedly claimed victory, five points, twelfth place and home advantage in the next Scottish derby match, the relegation play-off game on May 16. The winner of that game will play in the Champ next season; the loser will play either Blackheath or Plymouth for the final Champ place or a return to National One.

Richmond’s starting fifteen had a familiar look, especially in the pack. Paul Altier and Paddy Case resumed in the backline, and the experienced Luc Jones returned at scrum half to captain the side, with the unfortunate Freddie Charles sidelined by injury.

The London Scots, who have had their own injury problems, were favoured by the absence of a Harlequins fixture and included five young Quins players, plus two other loan players, one from Edinburgh and one from Bath.

The Scots threw the kitchen sink at the build up with bagpipes rivalling the ear damaging Tannoy announcer. A crowd of 1600 framed the pitch on a warm, sunny afternoon. Richmond kicked off and edged the early minutes, gaining significant encouragement from a scrum penalty.

However, the Scots took the lead in the ninth minute. The ‘home side’ worked their way back up the touchline, courtesy of two penalties and an overthrown line out, which they were first to retrieve. Five metres out, the Scots were well practised at their set up. The forwards, after being held at first, got a second surge, swivelled and drove over, with hooker Harry Clayton the beneficiary. Tom Wilstead added a tricky conversion.

If Richmond nerves were a little frayed, it got worse five minutes later. Richmond applied a lot of effective pressure at the kick offs with Jake Monson outstanding in the air. This time, after forcing a knock on, the forwards set up confidently for a scrum just outside the 22. Sam Pim then battered his way forward but, when he was stopped, the ball went loose, close to the touchline.

The Scots were quickly on to it with the ball popped into the hands of Hayden Hyde. The winger, who scored a Premiership try the previous week, had sixty metres to run, but the cover was hopelessly caught out and the winger never looked like being caught. The conversion was missed but Richmond now faced a twelve point deficit.

Despite the score, Richmond were dominant up front and territorially. For the next five minutes, Richmond battered the Scottish line but, looking a bit rushed, were held up under the posts. From the drop out, Jason Baggott made a clean break back into the 22, but play had to be abruptly stopped for injury to a Scottish defender. After a long layoff, the Scots’ fly half Tom Wilstead was stretchered off.

The Scots, strong on the break, were almost away once more after Richmond again coughed up possession, but this time Paddy Case was alert enough to recover possession and clear. It was Richmond’s turn next as Altier was almost away, but play was recalled for a knock on.

The game remained fast and furious, with some thunderous collisions as the sides pressed for advantage. After 35 minutes, Richmond finally turned pressure into points. From a short range line out, the excellent Fred Hosking secured possession and the backs and forwards combined to set up a drive. Somehow the Scots initially held out, but this time the wily Jones spotted an opportunity on the blindside and nipped round elusively for the touchdown.

With the half time score 12-5, it was nip and tuck, but Richmond started the second half re-energised with Monson again showing the way. Chid Obonna had a strong run as his team worked their way into the Scots 22. The pack was still clearly dominant in the set scrum and earned another penalty. The pressure built as the Scots were then pinged in desperate defence. Finally, the ever willing Lima Savaiinaea picked a good line to smash his way through the stretched defence to claim the try. Grieve’s conversion levelled the scores.

With Richmond clearly looking more confident, further chances followed. Altier showed his skill, pirouetting past defenders before finding Baggott in support. The Scots held out at the cost of a penalty but cleared when Richmond were frustratingly in turn pinged at the line out.

After 50 minutes, another big shove at the set scrum was viewed as illegal by referee Alex Thomas, and the Scots kicked deep into the Richmond half. Once again, the Richmond defence put in some resounding tackles but were adjudged offside, conceding a five metre penalty in front of the posts. The Scots probed and Richmond tackled, but this time momentum was with the Scots and, when they skilfully moved the ball wide, Murray Bellis was clear for a try in the corner and a 17-12 lead.

The first Richmond substitution followed as Will Goffey earned his 50th cap replacing the hard working Harry Hocking. Skipper Jones was endlessly inventive and reliable with his kicking and the forwards ratcheted up their physical aggression as they forced the Scots back into their 22. Goffey and Hosking led the way with carries and finally, after 59 minutes, George Nugent forced his way over for the third try, which again levelled the scores.

The game was still wide open as the Scots showed in the next phase of play. A kick out on the full cost ground and Richmond were then penalised for side entry at the line out. Five metres out, the Scots set up the drive, but Richmond held out to earn a drop out, The decision to attempt a long range drop goal underlined the Scots’ frustration.

Richmond saved the best to last. A break down the left wing drew a yellow card for Will Talbot-Davies and a penalty which Grieve kicked to the 22. The forwards claimed the line out ball, and, at a virtual canter, the pack drove unstoppably to the line, with Luke Spring the appropriate scorer. Grieve’s conversion took the lead to 17-24.

Richmond had the luxury of knowing that, even if the Scots got another seven points, a draw would still give them home advantage for the relegation battle. But they didn’t look like conceding any more tries, such was the ferocity of the defence.

The two teams have to do it all over again in two weeks. There wasn’t much in it this time and a titanic battle is certain, but for the moment a hard earned victory can be fully celebrated.

Rob Powell commented afterwards: ‘Fantastic effort by the boys. The defence was outstanding and was as good as we’ve been all season. It was really important to secure a home play-off. Now in the next fortnight we’ve got to do well against Chinnor and obviously set up for the game in two weeks. So, very exciting, with two big weeks ahead.’

Team: C.Grieve, C.Obonna, P.Case, T.Savainaea, P.Altier, J.BaggottL, L. Jones, T.Bevacqua, H.Hocking, L.Spring, F.Hosking, G.Nugent, J.Monson, A.Hastings, S.Pim
Subs: W.Goffey, C.Freeman, J.Litchfield, JJ.Odea, J.Cardew, C.Gallen, J.Langston, C.Slevin,

Tries: Jones, Savaiinaea, Nugent, Spring.
Conversion: Grieve (2)