Richmond 22-21 Taunton Titans

National One Rugby: Richmond 22-21 Taunton Titans

Taunton travelled to Richmond who play on part of King Charles crown estate, a world heritage site where Henry VIII jousted.

His home was Richmond Palace until it burnt down, and he moved to Hampton Court.

A cold day made conditions ideal for rugby on a perfectly prepared pitch, writes Hugh Duder.

The home side went into a 5-0 lead after four minutes when a kick ahead for left wing Hamish Graham to score in the corner.

Taunton made their first foray into Richmond’s 22 when winger Oscar Stewart scored with Frankie Dart making a good conversion from wide out. 5-7.

24 minutes gone and Titans were in again after good interplay with Luke Bralsford scoring out to the right again Dart was on target giving the visitors a 5-14 lead.

Right on half time and against the run of play a tap penalty caught Titans by surprise and Richmond closed their deficit to 10-14 on halftime.

Twelve minutes into the second half and a long Titans throw went straight to Richmond and resulted in a simple try and Richmond led 15-14.

It didn’t take long for a Titans response. Good handling and a break by Diego Bentley and he went through under the posts for 15-21.

Titans then conceded a succession of penalties from in their own 22 up into Richmond’s 22 with Taunton unsuccessfully defending their lines for 22-21.

Titans conceded more penalties going forward and nearing the Richmond line the result was at the visitors’ mercy.

With the dying moments ebbing away they went through 30phases ending with a penalty to win the game.

Agonisingly the kick slid past the upright and Richmond were lucky to hold on, winning 22-21.