Richmond battled well, but could have few complaints about going down to a Southend side that looked the better team, especially when they ran the ball wide.

It all started promisingly with Richmond looking positive and well organised.

After just four minutes they opened the scoring. Sean Flynn established position in the opposition 22 with an intelligent grubber and Henry Head offered further encouragement by stealing the line out.

Southend partially cleared with a box kick but Matt Hart did really well to gather the kick, slip past the initial tackles and spin the ball out.

The forwards supported well, driving deep into the 22, and when the ball was passed back down the line, the Southend defence was outnumbered and Luke Cousins was able to stroll in for a good try and a 5-0 lead.

Two minutes later, the home side almost added a second try. Flynn charged down an opposition kick and Johnny Wehbe kicked ahead towards the try line, looking to outpace the struggling Southend defence.

Wehbe retained control well but the ball would not bounce up at hand height and when he dived for the touchdown, referee Mr Davis consulted the touch judge and elected for a knock on rather than a try.

This was to prove a big moment in the match because Southend broke away from the resultant scrum, their big back row breaking the Richmond defence rather too easily.

However the critical pass to winger Mark Billings was clearly forward but missed by the officials and the opposition winger had an easy run in for a very unfortunate try and a 5-7 lead against the run of play.

Richmond responded well and continued to dominate early proceedings, though Southend looked dangerous and increasingly confident when given any space. Unfortunately injuries now intervened, both Richmond wingers departing in the space of two minutes.

The resultant reorganisation was clearly disruptive, debutant centre Nick Moore and scrum half Kris Green emerging as the new wingers, fed by two inside centres.

Well as they both responded, Richmond did now look rather one paced and the balance of the game started to turn as Southend took heart from these misfortunes.

Richmond briefly recovered the lead with a Hart penalty after twenty-two minutes but Southend’s Andrew Frost in turn converted a penalty eight minutes later.

The Richmond forwards were holding their own up front and indeed generally controlling the line outs.

But Southend looked too sprightly in the backs, sometimes feeding off some wayward Richmond kicking. The score was 8-10 at half time.

Richmond’s hopes were not helped in the opening minutes of the second half by the concession of three successive penalties, two converted by Frost.

The offences were not obvious but the scoreboard showed 8-16.

However, Richmond again responded well, the forwards making the initial breach with Danny Parkinson to the fore.

With a penalty at last in their favour, position was established and five metre line out ball secured.

Southend rebuffed the initial attack but Richmond worked the ball back out wide and Tristan Wesley was able to stretch over in the corner for an unconverted try.

With the score 13-16 Richmond still had hopes of victory but these were well extinguished in the following 15 minutes as a patient Southend side probed the weary home defence, full back Simon Hoult twice finding holes by running intelligent angles at pace.

With their bonus points won, Southend probably relaxed a little but Richmond showed plenty of spirit in the final exchanges.

Guillaume Schueller, coming on very late, provided some new energy and winger/centre Nick Moore (Laithwaite’s man of the match) showed plenty of ability and potential for the future, looking full of running even though given little space.

One late Moore burst almost created a try for Green, the kick ahead hitting the corner flag and Richmond deserved their third try, scored in injury time, Schueller touching down after good work by the forwards.

Finishing ten points behind and scoring three tries, Richmond will regret missing a bonus point but they competed well in difficult circumstances against a very competent and experienced Southend side.

Next week Richmond travel to Westbourne Park for a crucial league encounter (kick off 2pm).

All support will be very welcome.

Tries: Cousins, Wesley, Schueller

Conversions: Hart

Penalties: Hart Team: M.Hart, J.Wehbe(K.Green), N.Moore, L.Cousins, A.Simmie(A.Maclennan), S.Flynn, T.Henry, A.Lyon, E.Rosa (J.Clapson), D.Parkinson (A.Friell), H.Head, T.Wesley, T.Sadler (G.Schueller), T.George, P.Clarke.