Fresh from their incredible victory over the Black Ferns last weekend, Richmond’s international players returned to club duty this weekend in a testing game away to Bristol.

Having won just 2 of their last 5 games, the home team went into the clash with nothing to lose and a lot to prove.

The scoreline was a credit to Bristol’s quick defence around the park against a Richmond team that battled the horrendous conditions to play an expansive game.

Relegated to the back pitches at the club as the main pitch had flooded, the match looked in danger of being a slow, error-laden game from the off, but Richmond demonstrated great patience and skill in the onslaught of the gale force wind and rain.

They used their backs with efficiency and Fran Matthews put the first points on the board for the visitors with a lovely try on her wing just inside 10 minutes.

The Richmond pack was ferocious against a strong Bristol forward presence, led by England Captain and last weekend’s Player of the Match, Catherine Spencer. Spencer showed no signs of exhaustion from the two recent tests against New Zealand and gave Richmond much to contend with.

But a clinical Richmond pack gave as good as they got. Becky Essex betrayed a recent bout of illness by turning in another good performance, while the set piece, particularly at the throw-in, was solid in what were extremely challenging conditions.

It was the set piece that helped Richmond’s game to flow in the way they wanted it and their pressure was rewarded with a try by Alice Richardson at 25 minutes to take the visiting team’s lead to 10 points.

Conditions did not improve in the second half, but both teams remained unafraid to be creative in the downpour.

Bristol were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty after 5 mins which Kim Oliver slotted home.

Undaunted, Richmond stuck to their game plan; a beautiful, flowing game between forwards and backs and produced another try for Richardson on 65 minutes.

Unfortunately the weather proved too much for Richardson as she missed three conversions and provided a great moment in the game when a kick to touch was sent backwards by the wind.

Nonetheless she was calm and composed throughout and showed trademark, impressive skill, fully deserving to win Player of the Match.

In better weather Richmond would have got the bonus point, but 3 team tries in a game that many would have written off showed the metal of the local London team. They maintain their place at the top of the Premiership.

Scorers: Richmond: Tries: Matthews, (10mins), Richardson, (25m, 60m) Bristol: Penalties: Oliver, (45m)

Richmond Squad: A Chamberlain, F Matthews, C Allan, R Burford, O Davies (replacement F Pocock 60m), A Richardson, A Turner (c), A Butler (rep B Singleton 70m), E Layland, V Cornborough, S Anastasi, M Houle, R Burnfield, W Howman, B Essex (rep L Jenkins 70m).