Happy end to 2022 for Richmond

By BEN JAYCOCK

Richmond … 22pts

L Scottish…….. 8pts

Richmond last weekend secured their first league victory since October – and just their third of the season – to take their recent record against their bitter rivals to seven wins from their previous eight meetings.

Richmond DoR Steve Hill said: “I couldn’t be more pleased for the players. We really showed our strengths. Our lineout and scrum were really important in difficult conditions and our half-backs put us in the right parts of the field.

“The game was all about emotion and playing for your teammates. I think we showed that in spades, and that’s what got us over the line. It has made it a very happy start to the New Year.”

Aaron Morris’ try put the Exiles in front after 16 minutes but the gap was quickly closed to two points with Bill Johnston’s penalty. After heavy pressure inside the opening half hour, Richmond eventually scored their first try courtesy of a driving maul that was finished by Alexander Post.

Richmond then used two successive penalties to get within five metres and, the lineout once again – led by the brilliant star man Sam Collingridge – worked smoothly, before another powerful drive provided the platform for Mark Bright to muscle his way over to touch down.

The Scots reduced the lead two minutes later through Nathan Chamberlain’s three-pointer but hooker Post rounded off the win with his second off another driving maul.