An injury-time try saw Richmond slip to their fourth London One defeat of the season at Haywards Heath on Saturday.

Seven days after beating National Three leaders Southend in the cup the previous weekend, Richmond started slugglishly with a converted try and a penalty giving the hosts a 10-0 lead.

Three consecutive penalties by Tim Cook brought Richmond back into it and they were ahead by half-time, a penalty try being awarded after an empatic drive over the line.

However, Cook hesitated with the kick and Heath players were allowed to kick the ball away and save the two points. Richmond led 14-10 as the whistle blew for half time.

Playing against 14 men after a yellow card, Richmond were expected to pull away but an apparent try-scoring pass from Tom Drewe to Jo Ajuwa was adjudged agonisingly forward.

Richmond then conceded a series of free kicks and penalties and a converted try from Heath's number eight Ben Maidment took his side into a 17-14 lead.

With twenty minutes to go it was anybody's game. Tim Cook and Dan Penney exchanged further penalties. Then Ross Evans, prominent throughout, made good ground to create space for winger Rohan Steyl, who offloaded well for Hayden Roche to complete the score. This unconverted try gave Richmond a 22-20 lead with ten minutes to go.

However Heath never gave up and Richmond made critical mistakes with over hit kicks and dropped passes. The home side took full advantage and drove from a line out to establish camp on the Richmond line. Several attacks were well rebuffed but Heath remained patient and persistent. Finally Scott Pargeter broke through for the decisive score close to the posts. Dan Penney converted and took the final score to 27-22.

On Saturday Richmond return to the Athletic Ground to play Staines (3pm kick off).

Richmond: T Drewe, R Steyl, T Cook, A Maclennan, J Ajuwa, T Leigh, H Roche, O Gregory (C), M Bolton, N Gaskell, J Farmer, N Corrigan (S Dixon), T Wesley, S Barlow, R Evans