In the last league fixture of 2015, Richmond topped off their season with another fine win against local rivals Wasps. The bonus point win sees them finish top of the premiership having only lost one game out of 14. Richmond demonstrated the skills that have seen them top the league for a record nine times.
Richmond pressured early on and got in behind the on-rushing mid-field defence with some nifty footwork. They created multiple opportunities, sucking in Wasps and then spreading the ball wide to the wingers but handling errors at the crucial moment meant they couldn’t convert the pressure to points.
Scrum half Leanne Riley, who was sniping all day, stole the ball of the back of a scrum which set up a great attacking platform and for 10 minutes Wasps were forced to defend their try line.
When Richmond were awarded a penalty they opted for the line-out, confident in their pack who had dominated through their power all season. A well executed catch and drive from the line out saw Ellisha Dee score a trademark try in the corner. 5-0
Wasps responded by working their way quickly into Richmond’s twenty-two, where the referee awarded them a penalty in front of the posts. They decided to kick for goal, and successfully put three points on the board. 5-3
Richmond kicked to restart, and found themselves back within Wasps’ danger zone in less than a minute. They won a scrum, from which they almost scored, but ferocious defence from Wasps managed to keep them at bay. Twenty-five minutes in, following another successful scrum, Amy Turner cut a great midfield line and scored under the posts, and Abi Chamberlain successfully converted. 12-3
Spurred on by their vocal supporters, Wasps attacked swiftly and almost scored. Richmond put their bodies on the line in defence which caused Holly Myers to go off with a blood injury. Richmond eventually ran themselves out of danger, but lost Claire Phelps to a yellow card, before Holly Myers returned to the field.
The second half began, and it took less than five minutes for Richmond to score. Strong forward play made life difficult at ruck time for Wasps and when the ball went loose, second row Debs McCormack pounced and bolted for the line and scored under the posts. 19-3
Wasps responded with a try from a catch and drive of their own as the result of ill discipline from Richmond. The conversion hit the crossbar, and bounced through the posts, to the excitement of the crowd and brought the scoreline much closer. 19-10
The next try came twenty minutes into the second half, this time scored by Vickii Cornborough, who grounded the Wasps’ player that attempted to tackle her with a superb handoff. 24-10
Five minutes later, Fiona Fletcher and Sam Crandell replaced Claire Phelps and Sam Voyle, and instantly made their mark. A series of runs and slick offloads by Cornborough, Emma Croker and McCormack took Richmond into Wasps’ territory once again, where the forwards powered together over the line. 29-10
Cornborough made another great run soon after, this time supported by Fletcher, in her first game back from injury, generating quick ball. Croker set up Anna Caplice with a well-timed pass who then stormed down the pitch, with a cheeky dummy kick, and soon Richmond found themselves close to the try line. Davinia Monteiro scored with a powerful run, and Abi Chamberlain converted. 36-10
Wasps kicked to restart, but Richmond stole the ball and denied them territory. Laura Kapo completed the game in style on the 80th minute by cannonballing her way through the Wasps’ defensive line, and scoring under the posts. Abi Chamberlain converted, bringing the game to full time. 41-10
Wasps challenged Richmond but despite their strong defensive structure, Richmond’s fitness saw them through.
Richmond Team: 1. Vickii Cornborough 2. Emma Croker (c) 3. Elisha Dee 4. Debs McCormack 5. Claire Phelps 6. Sammy Voyle 7. Tess Forsberg 8. Anna Caplice 9. Leanne Riley 10 Abi Chamberlain 11 Jade Wong 12 Amy Turner 13 Holly Myers 14 Kiri Lose 15 Ollie Davies 16. Chloe Edwards 17. Sammy Crandell 18. Dav Monteiro 19 Fi Fletcher 20. Laura Kapo 21. Alicia McComish
