Richmond vs Sale FC

Recap

Richmond snatch win in thriller at The Rec

5th placed Sale FC headed to West London to face unbeaten Richmond on a bright sunny afternoon in the capital.

The Dogs made a fast start and were soon in front as Will Hunt kicked a straightforward penalty from 22 metres. 0-3

The lead lasted until the 11th minute when scrum half, Alex Schwartz, spotted a gap on halfway and sprinted in with centre, Callum Grieve converted. 7-3

With a breeze at their backs, the blue and whites were dominating territory as Hunt’s kicking game constantly putting pressure on the hosts and it was from his clever kick over the top that Tom Walsh won the race to touchdown. Hunt added the extras. 7-10

Sale lost Will Riley to a yellow card for a high shot in the 25th minute and sustained bombardment from the home side saw Grieve crash over and then convert. 14-10

With player parity restored, the Dogs scored a superb try. Walsh made an amazing tackle on halfway to gain possession and Obi Ene then weaved his way to the line at pace from 50 metres. Hunt again on target. HT 14-17

Five minutes into the second 40, Sale were awarded a penalty in front of the posts leaving Hunt the easy job of bisecting the posts. 14-20

Richmond refused to lie down and retook the lead again shortly afterwards when Paddy Case evaded tackles to score under the posts with Grieve adding the two. 21-20

The lead changed hands for the seventh time in the 53rd minute as another loose ball was picked up in midfield leading to another speedy attack, Ene releasing Ossian Roberts to score; Hunt continued his fine afternoon from the tee. 21-27

The decisive moments in a high quality, entertaining game came in a four-minute spell mid-half as the hosts scored unconverted tries through Lucas Schmid and Chidera Obonna. 31-27

Despite some pressure in the last quarter, the Dogs were unable to find a way through the hosts defence and had to settle for a losing bonus point. FT 31-27

A good performance from the boys in a game that, in truth, could have gone either way and we now look to get back on track against Rosslyn Park next Saturday.