Late Hayman try seals fine success for Rams
Richmond ………40pts
Tries: Jones 1, 48, Spring 17, Mpiko 58, Hitchcock 71, Kaye 77
Conversions: Burrage 18, 49, 59, 72, 78
Rams …………….. 47pts
Tries: Jones 21, Robson 29, 62, Marris 44, Bird 51, Penalty try 75, Hayman 80
Conversions: Honey 22, 30, 45, 52, 63
TEAMS
RICHMOND: O'Meara, Graham, Cheeseman, Hitchcock, Kaye, Burrage, Jones, Spring, Post, Mpiko, Monson, Bright, Wills, Hastings, Benson
Replacements: Maguire, Bentley, Breeze, Marsh, Dennett
RAMS: Bird, Kalling-Smith, Jones, Humberstone, Robson, Honey, Hoadley, Harris, Hayman, Englezos, Stapley, Swain, Hoyt, Atkins, McRae
Replacements: Marris, Baker, Scott, Monye, MakepeaceCubitt
REFEREE: Tim Allatt
ATTENDANCE: 1,205
Star man Henry Bird Rams
RAMS and Richmond fought out a 13-try thriller at the Athletic Ground, as the two sides traded try for try through a tense second half. Richmond applied tremendous pressure in the final quarter, but Rams defended manfully, despite losing two men to the sin bin.
They edged the setpiece but were significantly disrupted by a steam of injuries.
Richmond took a twoscore lead in the first quarter as they capitalised on turning over lineout ball.
Luc Jones nipped over for the first in support of Ntinga Mpiko, and Luke Spring forced his way over for the second as the pack battered the line.
At this stage, Richmond were distracted by injuries, as Mark Bright limped off, followed by Ethan Benson after a clash of heads with Will Kaye.
Rams took full advantage, with Ellis Jones bursting a tackle for their first and then the inspirational Henry Bird breaking from deep to send in Charlie Robson.
Rams got the first try of the second half, set up by Alex Kalling-Smith and completed by Ant Marris.
It was now nip and tuck, Jones getting his second in support of his pack before the pacy Bird scored a lovely try, timing his line to perfection to run clear through the home defence.
Rams briefly had a nine-point lead.
But a five-minute Richmond assault on the Rams line finally resulted in the first yellow card and a try for the impressive Mpiko.
Within four minutes, Rams re-established their nine-point lead following a slightly fortunate turnover.
However, they took the chance really well, cleverly working space out wide to send in Robson wide out.
The conversions were now key and both kickers were outstanding, nailing a long sequence of touchline efforts in the strong wind.
Still, the game was undecided, Richmond's powerful Tom Hitchcock thumping the ball down in the corner for a 33-35 score line with nine minutes to go.
A defiant Rams team seemed to settle the game when awarded a penalty try after a driving maul collapsed.
But Will Kaye ensured a nervy final five minutes when he reached a Henry Cheeseman cross kick to get the touchdown.
With two minutes remaining, Richmond couldn't get out of their half and Rams got the decisive try in the final action of the match.
With the hosts under intense pressure, Max Hayman collected at the back of the pack after a five-metre line-out to strike the decisive blow.
