Richmond overturned the form book to claim a convincing and impressive five try victory over visitors Plymouth Albion, who had started the game as league leaders. The five points earned lift Richmond up to seventh position, whilst Albion slip to third, now overtaken by Rams and next week’s opponents Chinnor. Richmond fielded a largely unchanged side except for the welcome return of fly half Ted Landray. Plymouth, coached by one-time England fly half Ryan Lamb, have recruited well and included ex Jersey and Pirates winger Robin Wedlake and long-term club man lock Dan Collier, now in his twelfth season with Albion. With the rain finally relenting, Richmond kicked off and enjoyed the bonus of an early score. Following a Plymouth high tackle, Sean Kerr made no mistake with a long and straight penalty after three minutes. Albion had an immediate chance to respond when No 8 Sam Daly came steaming through a defensive hole and dummied a defender before giving out what seemed a certain scoring pass to Phil Jones. However, Hamish Graham intervened with a crunching tackle at the corner and somehow knocked the fly-half into touch. Richmond enjoyed plenty of early ball, helped by a turnover from Xavier Hastings. However, the handling was prone to error and a knock on gave Plymouth another chance to test the home defence. The tackling was convincing, but when Richmond drifted offside, Albion confidently kicked for the corner and secured the lineout ball. Scrum half Jack Oulton then spotted a gap out wide and dived over despite the best efforts of Hastings to knock him into touch. The officials conferred and the try was given. Two minutes later, Richmond restored their lead with their first try, Alex Post inevitably completing a short range drive from the back of the pack after an illegal Plymouth tackle of a player in the air. Kerr added the points. The first scrum was awarded after seventeen minutes and resulted in an Albion penalty and a long period of pressure around the 22. Richmond then conceded a second penalty for a high tackle and Plymouth once again opted to kick for the corner, from where they mauled over to level the scores at 10-10. Harry Wilkinson was the scorer, but the conversion was again missed. Plymouth now had more of the ball, courtesy of two more penalties conceded, one for another high tackle and then one for crossing. The home pack held out the first time, but Daly found a gap on the line when given a second chance and he ran around to the posts for the score, converted by Tom Putt. When the Richmond kick off then went straight out, the nervousness was obvious but within five minutes, Richmond scored the try of the game. Plymouth lost their lineout ball on halfway, and Richmond took full advantage, Landray looping round to create an extra man before Kerr received the ball on the wide left. Looking hemmed in, the centre swivelled and gave a lovely pass to the supporting Post for his second try and a half time score of 15-17. Any Richmond nerves were immediately calmed by a score within the opening minute of the second half. It was Plymouth’s turn to kick straight out, and Richmond worked their way steadily to the 22 before mauling towards the line. Stopped just short, the forwards picked and drove, making patient progress. Jake Monson was only just short before Hastings claimed the try, converted by Kerr. Another high tackle again provided opportunity to the visitors who had a scrum five metres out and in front. In a crucial moment for the game, man of the match Ntinga Mpiko claimed a smart turnover and Richmond were able to clear. Three minutes later, Mpiko was prominent again, a monster tackle setting the tone for a defensive line, who were now denying Albion any space. After 60 minutes, Richmond opened up a two-score lead. Landray made a good half break before Luc Jones cleverly stabbed the ball into the 22, Richmond gaining the lineout when Albion failed to pick up the ball. Once again, the pack drove steadily towards the line and once again Hastings claimed the try, this time converted by Landray. Prop Jenson Boughton had one gallup deep into the home 22, but the Richmond pack were now dominant and cleared from a set scrum. In the 69th minute they added a fifth try. The Plymouth lineout malfunctioned again, the ball went loose and Hastings, who had a fine game, kicked intelligently into space deep in the 22. A foot race ensued, and Will Kaye was the winner with a fine turn of speed enabling him to get the touchdown. Ted Landray added a very good conversion and they could relax. Or could they? At the kick off, try scorer Kaye was then given a yellow card for a high tackle, and Plymouth used the penalty to kick into the 22. Steadily working their way forward, the pack could not be stopped this time, and lock Angus Hodges got the bonus point touch down with six or seven minutes to go. When a long kick was taken into touch near the home 22, Richmond were forced back into further urgent defence. They held out at the cost of another yellow card, this time for Ethan Benson. Finally, thirteen man Richmond had a scrum five metres from their own line and, after a fright or two, Ted Landray claimed the ball and booted it into touch. The celebrations could begin. Player of the Match: Ntinga Mpiko
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