Richmond defied both the out of sorts elements and a cussed Sedgley Park team to claim four league points, which were enough to give them top place in the National One league table, albeit only by points difference. Rams, who now slip to second, had travelled north to play third placed Rotherham Titans and had to settle for a single point after losing their 100% win record. By contrast, Richmond retain their unbeaten record but will be severely tested in the next two games, starting with Rams away on a rearranged Friday night game on December 6.

Richmond fielded a largely settled side with familiar rotations at prop and scrum half. In the back row, Toby Saysell had his first start since the early weeks of the season. Sedgley Park included the league’s leading try scorer, Rhys Henderson, on the wing, whilst club skipper Matt Riley on the bench added to his proud and remarkable record of over 450 club appearances in eighteen seasons.

Storm Bert had been forecast all week so both teams were clear in their preparations. The game started with a strong gusting wind blowing persistent rain. Sedgley Park kicked off and had the better of the first half conditions, which were at their worst on the far touchline.

Both sides hoisted the ball at every opportunity with the two scrum halves leading the way. Luc Jones tried his full repertoire of kicking as well as covering faultlessly in defence. Callum Grieve and Chidera Obonna were also prominent in defence, both excellent under the high ball.

Richmond had the best of the tight scrums, pressurising their opponents all game and winning two scrum penalties. Unsurprisingly both sides made handling mistakes, with Richmond’s press defence denying Sedgley Park any space or time. However, when they worked their way into the Park 22, a dummy throw in resulted in a free kick, enabling Park to escape.

The next opportunity, fifteen metres out, was also lost at the line out, the strength of the wind making it nearly impossible to throw straight. Around the half hour, Park mounted a longer period of attack deep in the home 22. Successive penalties for high tackles were the problem and eventually resulted in a yellow card for skipper Jones. Conceding seven first half penalties, Richmond promptly came under pressure again, but the Park forwards could make no progress when they tried to drive from a five metre line out.

In the final minute of the half, Sedgley Park opted to go for the posts when Richmond were pinged for scrambling forward on the ground and the experienced Warren Seals gave his side a 0-3 half time lead.

Richmond came close to a score in the opening minutes of the second half. One of several charge downs resulted in the ball ricocheting back over the try line. A scramble between two attackers and one defender ensued and Richmond got the first touchdown. Was it touched before the ball went dead? It was hard to tell. Referee and linesman conferred at length. The verdict was a surprise, whether right or wrong. Sedgley Park were awarded a penalty as a Richmond player had obstructed.

Richmond now looked the dominant side and Grieve was close with his first penalty kick, a tricky one from near halfway. Next it was Park’s turn with an easier kick after another high tackle. Seals extended the lead to 0-6. Richmond remained patient and Grieve had another penalty from forty metres which drifted the other side of the posts. However, Richmond now had the momentum and, after 53 minutes, claimed the lead.

Some neat passing popped Jake Monson through a defensive gap and left him some thirty metres out with two defenders ahead. The lock looked for support, which was not immediate, checked his run then ran round one of the defenders before slipping a perfect pass to James Langston who completed a very good try. Just as importantly, Grieve added the first of three excellent conversions.

Four minutes later, Richmond extended their lead to two scores. Sedgley Park were pinged and yellow carded for a deliberate knock on which curtailed an attack down the right wing. Richmond kicked to twelve metres and the pack did the rest, driving convincingly forward before substitute Will Goffey claimed the try.

Richmond remained well organised and efficient, their focus being to press hard and force Park into errors or back deep into their half. In the final third, they ran the ball, but the conditions allowed limited fluency. Grieve provided another opportunity for the forwards when he kicked superbly to five metres in the far corner. However, this time the chance was lost after Jones was held up.

In the final minute, Saysell hared through a gap thirty metres out in familiar fashion to angle his run perfectly to get the touch down. Grieve hurried his kick to try for one last play for that fourth try. But referee Adam Wookey blew his whistle, and the teams could depart for the reviving qualities of the bar. Sam Dardis, half of a hard hitting centre partnership, was adjudged man of the match.

In stormy conditions, it was a well organised win for Richmond, who now have a week off. They will face a very different challenge on Friday the 6th. All support will be welcome.

Tries: Langston, Goffey, Saysell
Conversions: Grieve (3)
PoTM: Sam Dardis

Team: Grieve, McMillan, Langston, Dardis, Obonna, Dennett, Jones(c), Bevacqua, Torpey, Spring, Monson, Murphy, Benson, Saysell, Pim

Replacements: Goffey, Freeman, Nugent, Schwarz, O’Meara