Richmond hang on against 14 men
Old Elthamians ……7
Richmond …………….9
RICHMOND were given an almighty scare by battling Elthamians before hanging on for their tenth successive league victory in atrocious conditions at College Meadow.
OEs played nearly two thirds of the game with only 14 men following the first-half sending off of hooker Jared Saunders for a tip tackle.
But with the strong wind behind them after the break, they fought back from a 9-0 deficit and spurned three kicks at goal in the final quarter to snatch victory.
It was the first time Richmond had failed to cross the whitewash in a game this season yet with the conditions in their favour in the first half, they started confidently, dominating territory and possession and pinning OEs in their own 22 for long periods.
But they were unable to breach miserly home defence and were indebted to the boot of fly-half Tom Hodgson who kicked three penalties to give them a 9-0 interval lead. The second half saw a total reversal as OEs took a stranglehold on proceedings, scoring the only try on 45 minutes when outstanding prop Austin Hay was driven over from a lineout.
With the league leaders forced on the back foot, they conceded three penalties in quick succession midway inside their own half. But OEs fly-half Marc Koteczky pushed the kicks wide in the swirling gale and Richmond held on for the win.
TEAMS
OLD ELTHAMIANS: Medcraft, Hotston, Goble, McGann, Hancock, Koteczky, Jackson; Holenstein, Saunders, Hay, King, Parker, Ledger, Barton, Quinton.
Replacements: Boon, Fordham, Munnelly, Claxton, Filmer.
RICHMOND: Graham, Eaton, Mitchell, McLean-Dents, Kelly, Hodgson, Gibbs; Walford, Grimstone, Litchfield, Warden, Hodge, Pashley, Boyce, Parker.
Replacements: Hadfield, Gratton, Bibic, Saysell, Mulchrone.
REFEREE: Adam Wookey
ATTENDANCE: 188
Star man
Austin Hay – Old Elthamians
