Richmond ……..33pts
Tries: Hocking 7, 50; Nugent 56, Goffey 78, Savaiinaea 80 Conversions: Grieve 8, 51, 56, 80
Bedford …………52pts
Tries: Thame 5, Worth 14, Adamson 22, 51, 65; Brown 29, Conway 40, Day 43 Conversions: Maisey 6, 14, 30, 38, 52, 66
SECOND placed Bedford dominated this game with an eight-try victory, but they were made to work harder in the second half as Richmond added four tries to earn a valuable bonus point. Bedford director of rugby Mike Rayer said: “We were clinical when we needed to be. I thought Richmond were excellent at times. We nailed the game in the end, but it got a bit loose at times. We got the five points we came for, a couple of games to go and we’re in the box seat for second.”
Toby Thame made a clean break through the defence for the first try, rounding the full-back. Richmond responded with their opening try a minute later, an aggressive follow-up giving Harry Hocking the chance to force his way over.
Bedford got the next three tries. A kick ahead bounced perfectly for George Worth to get the first, Dean Adamson got the first try of his hat-trick from a long overhead pass and then Fyn Brown was at the back of a forward surge for the third.
Just before half-time, Joey Conway added a fifth try, mauling over after a close range line out. In the second half, Alex Day had the perfect start, tapping a penalty and darting over.
From this point, Richmond fought back well. Hocking claimed his second try from close range after a strong break by Chid Obonna. Bedford then scored a beautifully executed try, as Adamson timed a perfect jump to run clear from 30 metres from a steepling Will Maisey kick. With tries a plenty, George Nugent got the next as Richmond continued to ping pong scores. Richmond were desperately seeking a bonus point but coughed up possession and watched as Adamsom completed his hat-trick.
With two minutes left, it looked like ‘too little too late’ but a battling Richmond finished with not one but two tries. First Will Goffey scored as Richmond drove over from a lineout and then, in the final action, with Bedford short of two carded players, Sam Dardis slid through a finely judged kick to the corner and the hard working Tololima Savaiinaea got the touchdown
Richmond head coach Rob Powell said: ‘Really important to get a point today. It nudges us one more point ahead of the Scots. We set up for a win, but a point was our next best outcome’.
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