Richmond 29 Clifton 34

Missing skipper Henry Head, Richmond were led for the day by Tom George who put his normal 100 per cent into the captaincy with good effect.

Andy Dinwiddie made his first team debut and Johnny Wehbe reappeared on the wing after a groin injury. The return of Wehbe prompted the selection of Nick Moore and Alex Maclennan in their more natural centre positions and the backline looked much more balanced as a result.

For once Richmond got off to the better start, Matt Hart converting a penalty after five minutes when Clifton pulled down a Richmond maul.

Things got even better after twelve minutes, when Wehbe intercepted a rather laboured Clifton pass to show his speed and run seventy metres to score under the posts, Hart converting for a welcome 10-0 lead.

With their forwards in expansive mood, Tristan Wesley to the fore, Richmond looked much more confident and continued to dominate early proceedings though Clifton looked dangerous on the break. Toby Henry covered well to snuff out one dangerous break.

But Richmond in turn had their moments and Wehbe almost intercepted again. Perhaps as a result, Clifton seemed reluctant to throw the ball wide, ignoring several overlaps to turn inside and attempt a more direct route.

However, after 27 minutes, Clifton opened their scoring, taking advantage of a penalty to drive over from a lineout, Dave Cook getting the touchdown and the sure footed John Barnes adding the conversion.

To their credit, Richmond responded with a high class try after another four minutes.

With the speedy Wehbe having narrowly failed to touch down his own kick ahead, Moore made amends with a lovely dummy, going on to draw in the next defender and give a scoring pass to Tim Cook who dived in at the corner despite the corner flagging defence.

Clifton were now looking thoroughly out of sorts and the scoring opportunities continued to belong to the home side.

Matt Hart was pulled down agonisingly close to the line, referee Mr Vernon needing to consult his linesman before making his decision.

It was against the run of play that Clifton scored in first half injury time. And it was another penalty which provided the opportunity, Barnes establishing position deep in the 22 with another excellent touch kick.

Clifton organised themselves well at the line out and drove powerfully for the line.

Twice Richmond just managed to hold out but, on the second occasion, the referee lost patience and yellow carded Peter Clarke.

With no time for another line out, Clifton took the scrum and after it had crabbed sideways and then predictably collapsed, Mr Vernon decided that enough was enough and awarded a penalty try. It seemed a harsh decision and the yellow card added insult to injury.

The half time score was 15-14, which did not fully reflect Richmond’s performance.

Once again, Richmond started a second half with 14 men.

And things got immediately worse when Sean Flynn was trapped and penalised for not rolling away. Barnes’ kick gave his side a 15-17 lead.

However, Richmond were in determined mood and Moore again showed the way.

Collecting his own chip over the defence, he sent out a beautifully timed pass to Tim Cook, who showed excellent pace to outflank the Clifton cover and touch down under the posts, Hart putting Richmond into a 22-17 lead.

Richmond held on to their lead until the 25th minute but it was the power of the Clifton forwards, which finally told.

Yet another penalty provided Barnes with the chance to set up position in the 22.

The line out was defended but the ensuing scrum finally proved too much, Clifton screwing the scrum round to create the space to drive over from short range. Barnes’ conversion put Clifton back into a 22-24 lead.

Nevertheless the game remained well balanced, the Richmond backs and the Clifton forwards looking the top dogs on the day. Moore and Maclennan both continued to break the gain line, their ability to stay on their feet allowing support to follow up with good effect.

Unfortunately, in the 40th minute, Richmond lost defensive focus for the only time in the game and full back Sam Smee took full advantage, bouncing off several tackles to score a good solo try, easily converted.

Richmond faced the prospect of earning nothing from a game, which they looked capable of winning. So it was totally deserved and to their credit that they again found the means to break the Clifton defence and score an excellent fourth try in the 43rd minute.

Maclennan, Moore and Wehbe all made good ground to make the initial breakthrough and it was the deserving Moore who touched down, Hart adding a wonderful conversion.

At 29-31 Richmond still had hopes of a famous victory, but almost inevitably another penalty decision went against them and Barnes made no mistake. Richmond pressed to the end and Clifton booted the ball out of play at the end with obvious relief.

The outstanding Nick Moore was adjudged Laithwaites’ man of the match. In wet, windy conditions it was an excellent game and a heartening team performance.

Next week Richmond travel to Barnes (3pm kick off) and will be determined to avenge a dismal home defeat in November.

Tries: Wehbe, Cook (2), Moore Conversions: Hart (3) Penalties: Hart Team: M Hart, T Cook, N Moore, A Maclennan, J Wehbe, S Flynn, T Henry, A Lyon, E Rosa (J Clapson), A Friel (D Marfo), A Dinwiddie (G Hart), T Wesley, T George, J.Downey, P.Clarke.