Richmond comfortably overcame newly promoted Shelford 34 -22 at the Athletic Ground on Saturday to record their first home win of the season. Now they hope to further improve their record in London One at Old Albanians this Saturday.

Shelford, who have twice gained promotion in recent years, were making their first visit to Richmond - and found themselves 17 points down in 20 minutes!

Deft handling by Tom Leigh and Piers Gregory led to Juliano Fiori touching down from a scrum, and then skipper Owen Gregory was driven over.

A brilliant 60-metre run by Tom Drewe, one of three players making home debuts, set up another try for Steve Hunt, and Joe Goatley converted.

After Richard Kupa had replied for Shelford, Drewe got a try himself to make it 22-5 at half-time.

Richmond conceded a penalty while down to 13 men after having two forwards sent to the sin-bin, but scored two further tries through Rohan Steyl and Martin Bolton, one of which Goatley converted.

Replacement Arama Moore touched down twice at the other end, with Austin adding the conversions.

Richmond: Drewe, Steyl, Gregory, Goatley, Ajuwa, Leigh, Roche, Allhusen, Bolton (Whitfield), Gregory, Wilson, Wesley, Hunt, Grimes, Fiori (Farmer).