Richmond 27 Clifton 10

Richmond fielded an unchanged team for the first time this season and started strongly.

Tom Gregory made an early break, one of many as he stepped and barged his way through the defence.

On this occasion, Clifton managed to block a probable scoring pass.

But, after six minutes, Richmond did open the scoring, Chris Davies getting the blindside touchdown after the forwards camped on the Clifton line and patiently built up pressure.

Clifton soon cut the lead after the experienced John Barnes slotted a penalty, when Richmond were penalised at the tackle.

But this was one of Clifton’s few forays into Richmond territory and there were far less penalties given away than in the earlier matches.

The Richmond scrum dominated proceedings in the tight and loose, providing a perfect platform for the backs to attack the beleaguered Clifton defence. More tries were inevitable, even on a day when a slippery ball was readily dislodged by a heavy tackle.

The second try was duly added after eighteen minutes, the scrum doing the donkey work to set up Guy Thomson for the score.

Thomson was part of a hugely influential back row, popping up everywhere with Peter Clarke, whilst skipper Tom George did a lot of the less glamorous, wet ball tidying up.

Clifton had their best chance four minutes later when Will Pomphrey was held up on the line, when looking certain to score.

The Richmond defence was strong and well organised throughout the match. After half an hour the third try was scored and followed a well judged line kick by Ross Broadfoot, which established position in the Clifton 22.

Quick feet by Tom Gregory sucked in Clifton defenders and created the space for James Greenwood to race over. Clifton now looked thoroughly out of sorts and the resultant kick off was short as pressure mounted. Another offside decision against the visitors resulted in a lengthy warning from the referee.

The fourth try and the bonus point followed after thirty-five minutes.

Tom Gregory was again involved in the build up before a lovely long pass from Broadfoot gave the speeding Nick Barrett space to beat his man on the outside and run 30m to the corner.

There was very nearly a fifth try just before half time and it would have been the try of the game.

Broadfoot made a scything break through the Clifton defence and Thompson did very well to get himself on Broadfoot’s shoulder and to outpace the Clifton cover.

Unfortunately, close to the line and having done all the hard work, Thompson lost the ball out of his grip when poised to touch down. It was the last action in a scintillating first half performance.

The second half was almost bound to be an anti climax with the weather unrelenting and the bonus points in the bag.

Clifton mounted early pressure but Richmond looked full of running on the counter.

Another 30m break from Thomson lit up the afternoon but the opportunity was lost with a knock on.

Injury and substitutions now slightly disrupted proceedings, Broadfoot taking a jarring tackle and Clarke being replaced by Doug Abbott.

Nevertheless Richmond added a fifth try after thirteen minutes of the half. James Greenwood took an inside pass on the burst and skinned the defence to stretch out for the try line. Broadfoot, at last given a straightforward conversion opportunity, added the points.

For the rest of the game, Richmond were largely content to pin Clifton back in their 22 and wait for mistakes. Greenwood made one wonderful weaving break but was illegally hauled down when chasing his kick by Chris Ashwin. The Clifton centre was given a yellow card.

All the players on the bench were used in the last fifteen minutes, so extensive rearrangement was required when winger Nick Barrett pulled up lame to be replaced by prop Darryl Marfo.

Clifton took full advantage to score their only try, Harrison Tovey finishing off a well worked attack and Sam Kent adding the conversion.

Richmond will be irritated to have conceded the late try but nothing could really take the gloss of an excellent and thoroughly encouraging home team performance. Matt Berry was made Laithwaites’ man of the match in recognition of the key work of the all powerful front five.

Tries: Davies, Thompson, Greenwood (2), Barrett Conversions: Broadfoot Team: P.J.Clarke, J.Greenwood, T.Gregory, E.Sadden, N.Barrett (D.Marfo), R.Broadfoot (S.Rowlands), T.Henry, M.Berry, D.Burr (D.Simmons), O.Gregory, T.Wesley, C.Davies, G.Thompson, T.George (G.Schueller), P.Clarke (D.Abbott).