Venturing into the West Country for the second time this season, Richmond recorded their seventh straight victory in a row and retained their 100% points record with a four try, 3-27 scoreline. Previous trips to Clifton have consistently produced tough encounters and, despite the score, this was no exception.

Richmond made another eight changes from the previous week, introducing George Merrick from the Harlequins academy on the bench and welcoming back Will Browne from injury. Tom George returned to captain the side and played a major role in the victory.

The visitors got off to a rousing start, running the ball at Clifton from the kick off, with Greg Sullivan bursting through the first line of defence to set up an attacking platform. Clifton soon went offside and Luke Cousins kicked the penalty for a 3-0 lead after just three minutes.

For fifteen minutes, Richmond remained in total control, monopolising possession and moving the ball well to force Clifton into desperate defence. It seemed only a matter of time before the first try would quickly follow but somehow the opposition held out and, in turn, finally made their first foray deep into the Richmond half. Tom Chesters and Harry Edwards combined well to clear this first attack and the visitors were soon firmly camped back in the Clifton 22. Twice Richmond got within a yard or two of the line, Sullivan initially breaking well and then Johnny Wehbe, Will Browne and Tom Gregory combining effectively minutes later.

With the forwards all-powerful, Richmond continued to dominate. However it was difficult to build a tempo with the scrums being constantly reset and the interminable instructions repeated. Additionally the visitors now started to give away some penalties and lost a little of the early fluency as a result. Nevertheless Clifton’s possession was very limited and, when they had the ball, they immediately came under pressure from Richmond’s onrushing defence.

Just before the half hour, Tom Gregory finally provided the momentum for the opening try, taking an alert tap at the 22 and running thirty metres before being pulled down. Under pressure in their own half, Clifton overthrew their line out and Richmond spun the ball down the line to winger Browne who was stopped a few yards short. Referee Paul Kimber yellow carded Clifton’s flanker James Stephenson for not rolling away and Richmond kicked to the corner. In familiar style, Will Warden safely secured the line out ball and the forwards drove unstoppably forward for skipper George to get the touch down and an 8-0 lead.

Five minutes later the second try followed in similar vein. Tom Gregory and David Burr were prominent in the build up and when Clifton once more offended at the tackle, Richmond again used the power of their forwards to drive from the line out, Tom George claiming his second try. Right on half time, it was Clifton’s turn to attack from a line out and Richmond, having cleared the initial danger, were penalised for holding on, Will Blair kicking the points.

Will Browne almost escaped with an interception in the opening spell of the second half but after five minutes there was a sickening clash of heads between Greg Sullivan and Clifton’s Steve Leonard. Play was promptly stopped and prime attention given to the distressed Leonard who was stretchered off after a fifteen minute delay. When play eventually restarted, Richmond resumed attack and an obstinate Clifton defence was again sternly tested and gave away another penalty. No 8 Edwards tapped and ran and when he was tackled a yard short, Afi Okeshola did very well to pick up and bullock his way over for a try, well deserved by the dominant front row.

The fourth try eventually followed in the 68th minute and was created by a strong break from full back Chesters who accelerated with good pace down the left touch line to find Wehbe inside, and the winger in turn passed well to the supporting flanker David Hughes, who went over under the posts. Cousins added the points and Richmond had five more points in the bag.

At the end, another excellent passage of play between newcomer George Merrick, Jason Phipps and Tom George saw the skipper go over for a potential hat trick try but play was recalled for a knock on and the score remained unchanged at the final whistle. In the end, it was too stop/start a day for flowing rugby and Richmond did well to retain their focus and discipline and achieve the day’s objective. Clifton deserve full respect for their dogged defence and every spectator at the game will hope that Steve Leonard is now making a full and speedy recovery.

Richmond entertain Oxford University at the Athletic Ground tonight.