Richmond 13 Rosslyn Park 28

On a lovely autumnal day, Park dominated from the start and, after five or six phases, Richmond found themselves outnumbered as Adam Gates stretched over for a well-worked opening try. Ross Laidlaw’s conversion gave them a 7-0 advantage after three minutes.

Within a minute, Richmond went a further penalty behind in slightly unfortunate circumstances, going offside after a marginal call for a forward pass.

However there was nothing unfortunate about the next score in the ninth minute. Richmond were shunted back at pace in a set scrum and Park were able to stroll over for an easy try, which took the score to a sobering 0-15.

At this stage Richmond finally rallied and focussed their efforts, retaining the ball better and working their way into the Park 22. Two Matt Hart penalties steadied the ship, bringing the score to 6-15 after 16 minutes.

This was as close as Richmond ever got in this match, as endless errors and infringements disrupted their progress.

Time and again they got themselves into a promising situation only to give away a penalty and lose all momentum.

Referee Simmon McConnell, who refereed the Ealing match, again found constant fault with Richmond at the breakdown. However it was a late tackle, which prompted the next score, Laidlaw extending the lead to 6-18 after half an hour.

Richmond continued to create opportunities but failed to finish them.

Luke Cousins created space for a neat pop pass to the impressive Joe Brown, who was pulled down inches from the line (Brown was later adjudged the Laithwaites man of the match). Park bodies duly went to ground around the tackle and Richmond were penalised. It was that sort of day.

Facing a half time score of 6-18 Richmond conceded an early third try after three minutes, Park clinically building pressure and finishing well with the powerful James Strong brushing off a stretched defence to score in the corner.

And the fourth try, seven minutes later, was just as calmly taken as Park found themselves with an overlap on the blind side and interpassed with great skill to break the willing home defence.

The rest of the game was more frustration for Richmond.

Too much ill directed kicking, crooked line out throws, knock ons and wrong options peppered their game and spoilt attempts to get back in the game.

Only right at the end, with Park ultimately reduced to thirteen men after two yellow cards, did Richmond build and maintain pressure on their opponents.

A lovely piece of skill by substitute hooker Jason Phipps set up the initial attack, Kris Greene being denied by a foot in touch. But Richmond held concentration and the forwards finally drove over to claim modest dignity, Phipps claiming the score. Matt Hart, who has not missed a kick in the last two games, converted well.

Rosslyn Park are a good side, well organised and with a powerful scrum. But Richmond can play better than this and need to cut out the silly mistakes which spoil their neat build up play.

Next week Richmond travel to Henley for their next league encounter. Kick off is 3pm.

Tries: J.Phipps Conversions: M.Hart Penalties: M.Hart(2) Team: M.Hart, A.Saunders, T.Gregory, J.Brown, A.Simmie (D.West), L.Cousins, T.Henry (K.Greene), D.Parkinson, D.Burr (J.Phipps), T.Nutall (E.Atkinson), H.Head, T.Wesley, G.Hart, I.Buzza (A.Wheatley), T.George.