Richmond’s defensive efforts deny Club joy

■ By GRAHAM COX

Blackheath …… 20pts

Tries: Ffitch 17, Hennessey 62

Conversions: Ffitch 17, 62

Penalties: Ffitch 15, 55

Richmond ……… 31pts

Tries: Grieve 11, Saysell 39, Schwarz 43

Conversions: Grieve 39, 43

Penalties: Dennett 3, Grieve 38, 73

Drop goal: Dennett 75

A CONTROLLED and clinical performance from Richmond who, despite a couple of moments of excellence from Blackheath midway through each half, were able to stretch to a relatively comfortable victory in this latest installment of the oldest fixture in club rugby.

“It was a really tough game,” said Richmond skipper Dave Massey. “It could have gone either way, but small moments made the difference.’

“Two hold-ups over the line when Blackheath had us under the pump were a game-changer for us, and we made the most of our opportunities when they came. Our set-piece was solid, though our lineout might need a bit of work.”

Blackheath didn’t get the best of starts. Markus Burcham took a knock within the opening minute, soon to be followed to the touchline by Tom Stradwick, and while the hosts were recovering from the loss of their two most-experienced players, Richmond took the lead with a Lewis Dennett penalty, followed my Alex O’Meara sending Callum Grieve across out wide.

Tom Ffitch struck three points for Blackheath, and the fly-half then found a gap in midfield to glide across for a lovely score after 17 minutes, his own conversion nudging the Club ahead, but Richmond withstood further pressure, despite losing a man for ten minutes, and with Grieve taking over kicking duties, edged in front once more with three points.

Sam Pim, making amends for his earlier yellow card, hoisted a perfectly judged kick for a 50:22, and blind-side move saw Toby Saysell stretch out for a try in the corner, Grieve’s conversion giving Richmond an 18-10 lead at the interval.

The advantage was extended further within three minutes of the restart, as Lewis Schwarz slid over from close-range ruck ball, and Blackheath’s moment looked to have passed when they were held up for the second time, and then a penalty was kicked dead.

However, Ffitch found a long-range strike, and added a conversion after Blackheath attacked from deep, with Jordan Burns piercing the Richmond cover and sending Jake Hennessey home from 35-metres, to put the hosts within five points. But while Blackheath had the better of the lineout, Richmond had the edge at the scrum, enabling them to keep the hosts under pressure.

Grieve added another penalty to push the margin beyond a converted score, and as Blackheath tried desperately to break the shackles and counter, Dennett struck a beauty of a drop-goal, just to make sure.