I WISH I WAS IN RICHMOND

As the late and lamented Ronnie Lane, then of The Faces, sang - “I wish I, I wish I was in Richmond”….   Fifty decades on from the teenage me attempting to replicate the lilting slide guitar line that underpins the song, I’ve always assumed that Ronnie was hankering after one of the nicest places around London and an area steeped in rugby history - it sums up my mood pre-match perfectly.

Like all of you, I would have loved to have been at the Athletic Ground today, maybe indulging in Mrs Jonny’s and my Twickenham/Old Deer Park (two of our nieces play there for London Welsh Women) rituals of a quick brunch burrito at Tortilla, maybe an early swift half at the Orange Tree and then to the ground.

At the SSA virtual gathering, I’ve predicted a perhaps disrespectful 53-9, although the on-screen consensus is a healthy bonus-point win for Sarries.

In the rem-match interviews, Richmond DoR Steve Hill speaks positively but frankly of his side’s approach to today’s game – although Steve doesn’t appear over-confident, he highlights the need to take any opportunities they get inside our 22, and to try and move Sarries around. Steve strikes me as a coach with a very good future ahead of him, an impression soon to be reinforced by the way his side starts the game.

Smally speaks of what he’s learned about the Championship, and typically of the man he’s nothing but respectful, speaking of what tough and well-organised opponents the other sides are.

Mark’s clearly pleased to have the rest of his internationals back and although he tells that they’re all keen to get stuck, it’s no surprise to any of us that the first to put his hand up has been Jamie George who will feature today.      

The Sarries starting XV looks strong, with Baz and Vincent keeping their places up top, an “experience and youth” second row with Tim Swinson and CHH and a very handy-looking back row in “Country” Rhodes, Sean Reffell and Jackson.

In midfield we have Aled, fresh from an impressive performance against Jersey two weeks ago when a lot of sceptics, myself included, started to revise our opinions of him, alongside the very old head on extremely youthful shoulders that is Manu (who I have a feeling will turn out to be a better all-round player than his contemporary Marcus Smith), while in the centres we have two early candidates for player of the season, Duncan Taylor and Dom Morris, and at the back we have the bargain that is Will Hooley inside Roti and Alex Lewington.     

The Richmond line-up is, perhaps not surprisingly, unfamiliar given that they’re part-timers and the side doesn’t contain any loaned or dual registered Premiership up-and- comers, although in the pre-match interviews we learn that utility back Ben Cook, on the bench today,  is a medical student combining rugby with the small matter of his work with the NHS.

And we’re off…

Landray goes long to get things going, Wray gathers and somebody called, according to the commentator, Aled Evans (what - no team sheetsl??!) attempts a box kick resulting in a Richmond lineout. The home side execute the first set-piece well and try to drive forward to be halted by a big hit on Jones from a Barrington celebrating his 200^th Sarries cap today.  

Richmond, looking at this stage composed and determined to take the game to Sarries,  go through the phases, keeping possession well and, as Steve Hill promised, look to move Sarries around, trying their luck down the right and then working the ball back across as they probe for gaps: this good work is rewarded as they win a penalty after 4 minutes which is chipped over by Landray to make it 3-0.

Sarries gather the restart and Morris kicks too long, and it’s a 22-metre restart for Richmond which is gathered by Davies/Evans and for the first time Sarries are able to push forward though Hooley and Hunter-Hill. Scrum to Sarries, held up by Koch having a bit of treatment – he’s OK.

It’s a better scrum from Sarries than we’ve seen of late, and we push forward, seeming to settle into the game a bit. It’s then another Sarries scrum which wins us a penalty. Manu kicks to the 22. Richmond try to disrupt the lineout and then turn the ball over for a penalty which is kicked to hallway. Richmond continue to look a very decent side as they work forward.  Hooley defends well down our right to force the ball into touch for a lineout to Sarries. Another short break as George gets some treatment but thankfully he’s fine.

Richmond spill the ball forward under pressure from a hard-working Segun and it’s a scrum to Sarries on our 40 metre line.

 and we get a penalty. Manu kicks to the Richmond 22, and we exit well but Segun coughs up the ball, Richmond exit well from their scrum, and Segun knocks on again. The breeze may not be helping anyone although Landray uses it well to find touch.

Rhodes is  a dominant figure in the lineout and our maul drives forward – Davies goes high, and Richmond’s return kick goes straight into touch but though they win the lineout and push forward, winning a penalty. Electing to go for the posts from 45 metres out, the kick doesn’t quite have enough “welly” and Sarries clear.

Richmond work forward from the lineout, try to “dink” it over the top but the ball comes back and it’s another Richmond penalty.

At this stage Richmond are still enjoying  a lot of time on the ball without really threatening a calm Sarries defence, well-marshalled by Wray.

A penalty to Richmond fails to find touch, and Hooley returns a long kick.

Scrum to Sarries, and a spell of pressure wins us a penalty.

Are Richmond starting to blow a bit…..?

Manu goes for the posts from 25 metres out, and with the aid of a supporting digit from a prone Hooley  the pill is posted adroitly between the sticks for 3-3 at 25 minutes.

 A kicking match from the restart ends in a lineout to Sarries and then it’s another penalty for us -  we’re starting to turn up the heat now. Manu kicks to 10 metres out, we roll forward, and George drives characteristically low and hard over the line at 29 minutes to mark a return to action in the black and red shirt that he’s clearly enjoying. There’s no better sight in rugby than Jamie George playing with the naughty schoolboy smile on his face.

Manu, again assisted by a Hooley finger, misses the conversion, hitting the crossbar to leave things at 3-8.

Sarries gather the restart and Davies kicks high, then Richmond try to push forward as the Wolfpack does its work.

A Sarries lineout, which Rhodes wins and sets George up to rumble forward as Richmond come under pressure again.  Sarries mess up another lineout but regain the ball , and a slick move is ended when  Richmond try to intercept but knock on for a scrum to Sarries.  Swinson receives treatment this time, but nothing is amiss.

Sarries win a scrum and then a penalty which Manu kicks to to the Richmond 22. Richmond steal the lineout but can’t exit. Segun picks up possession, then man-of-the match (so far) Wray charges through, only to be hauled down from an offside position, resulting in a yellow card for Jones and another penalty to Sarries.  

A good 5 metre lineout sets up a driving maul….and over we drive again, courtesy of the always-impressive Hunter-Hill.  The Manu-Hooley foot-and-finger routine adds the extras, and with 3 minutes left of the half it’s 3-15.

Half-time, samosas and a swig of beer.

It’s true to say that Richmond have had rather more of the game than being two tries down suggests, and certainly in the opening 25 minutes Steve Hill’s game plan looked to be working although our line was never seriously threatened and as the half wore on Sarries took a tight grip on the game. The first half seems to have gone quickly.

During half time we are reminded, that Jamie has a connection with Richmond through his cousin Tom George, who was once captain of the club.  

Manu kicks off to start the second half, and while Richmond gather they’re pinned in their own Red Zone (who came up with that??).  Landray is able to ease the pressure with a long clearance but Sarries return and Richmond remain hemmed in. It’s a penalty to Sarries, which Manu kicks to the corner and it’s a 5 metre lineout.

Richmond steal the lineout and win a penalty back, which is kicked to Sarries’ 40 metre line. Sarries win the ball back, lose it again, and Richmond’s clearance reaches our 22.

Rhodes yet again dominates in the lineout and Morris charges forward but his attempted offload is knocked on for a scrum to Sarries, from which, in the most thrilling moment of the match, Manu feeding  to Morris who sets up Segun on the left flank to hurtle over the line on 47 minutes. Manu misses the conversion from a wide position to leave the score at 3-20.

Jones is back on.

Sarries knock on from the restart, and it’s a scrum to Richmond.  The imperious Wray has some treatment but looks to be OK.  The Richmond scrums sets up a nice passage of play from a home that is keeping its composure after an early blow, and a good page of play earns them a penalty which takes them to 5 metre line but Sarries quickly secure possession and it’s George who shows off his all-round skills by making a long clearance.

A kicking exchange ends in a lineout and then a penalty to Sarries which Manu kicks to 10 metres out.  This time Hunter-Hill gets the ball then there’s a penalty to Sarries for a high tackle. Into the corner again, more good work from the huge Scot, Sarries rumble menacingly forward with Koch working hard, and it’s another Sarries penalty for holding on – Richmond are holding out but this will be sapping their energy and it’s also a surprise that the referee hasn’t spoken to them with the infringements mounting.

Barrington’s hurt.

Sarries take a quick tap and go, which as to be retaken as the referee speaks to Richmond. Sarries push and probe, closing in on the line. Another penalty (not rolling away), another tap and go, sustained pressure from Sarries , still another penalty, and the referee finally warns Richmond as Manu goes for the corner.  

Rhodes, after the sort of performance I’ve been hoping to see from him after predicting that he’d wreak havoc in the Championship, goes off to be replaced by Christie, and Day’s on for Davies. Another Sarries penalty sees Bibic shown the inevitable yellow card.

Richmond finally relieve the immense pressure on their line, briefly, by holding the ball up on the line. 

Sarries continue to empty the bench, with Sloan on for Morris, and then the Browne household erupts in cheers at the long-awaited return of Adams-Hale who swaggers on to replace Barrington.

A messy scrum gives Richmond a free kick,  and from the lineout Sarries surge forward to win the umpteenth penalty.  Kpoku (Joel) replaces Swinson who has yet again proven his standing as a bargain signing.

The Richmond defence takes another pounding as Sarries push for the bonus-point fourth try. Koch gets over but is held up as Richmond draw on every ounce of their remaining strength to keep us out.

Adding to Richmond’s woes is the sight of Maitland coming on for Hooley.

In the game’s second truly classy piece of attacking play, Manu then Joel Kpoku set up Christie to step and surge his way over on 64 minutes. Manu misses an easy conversion for 3-25 – but we have a bonus point!

Day is shown a yellow and Richmond break the siege by advancing to our 22 courtesy of a penalty and try to breach our defence but it’s a penalty to Sarries (side entry) who drive forward. A  scrum then a penalty go our way. Manu kicks to 15 metres out, Pifeleti, now on for George, arrows the ball in for Hunter Hill to take, good work from Joel Kpoku, and then on 73 minutes comes a heart-warming moment amid uproar chez Jonny – Sarries pummel Richmond’s defence, Adams-Hale pushes over the line and his comeback day is complete!

Manu slots over for the extras, and it’s a comfortable-looking 3-32.

Richmond still won’t lie down and work to try to close the gap, but can’t find any space and the game ends.

As with the first, the second half passed quickly, and I’m left with satisfaction at “job done” –  a try bonus point and 29 points’ improvement in what could prove to be an important for-and-against difference.

I’m also left with a huge amount of respect for Richmond – part-time “minnows” they may well be, and this aspect of today’s game was much-talked about in the last few days, but everything about the way they approached this game – and particularly when they went so hard at Sarries in the opening 20-25 minutes – pays huge tribute to the coaches and their squad.    

In terms of “take-outs” from the game, Sarries are looking in good shape for the challenging seven, and hopefully nine, games ahead. It’s a pity we’ve got another two-week gap between games to gain some momentum.

It goes without saying that everyone is glad to see the internationals back which will give us a huge boost on and off to the pitch; the set-pieces are working much better in the main, particularly with Mike Rhodes dominating the lineouts, and Jamie and Ralph bolstering the front row; we seem to have shaken off the post-relegation angst that pervaded the pre-season; we’re getting to grips with the way sides play in this league.

It’s going to be a tough couple of months, but it feels like we’re in a better place now.

RICHMOND

Wolfe-Elder, Kelly, Mitchell, Hodgson (Cook), Trimble (Kaye), Landray, Jones (Watson); Harris (Byrne), Torpey (Musk), Litchfield (Schonert), Bibic (Hodge), Hosking, Liston, Allcock, Scott (Barton)

SARACENS

Hooley (Maitland), Lewington, Morris (Sloan), Taylor, Segun, M Vunipola, Davies (Day); Barrington (Adams-Hale), George (Pifeleti), Koch (Clarey), Hunter-Hill, Swinson (Kpoku), Rhodes (Christie), Reffell, Wray

SCORERS:

Richmond (3): Pen Landray

Saracens (32): Tries: George, Hunter-Hill, Segun, Christie, Adams-Hale; Conv: Vunipola (2); Pen: Vunipola

REFEREE Alex Thomas