Richmond 47 Sutton & Epsom 20

10:27am Friday 24th October 2008

With Sutton still seeking their first win this season and Richmond in mid table in National League Three South this EDF National Trophy first round cup tie looked to be at the mercy of the home side, writes Ian Lovett.

They duly won comfortably but not before the visitors had made a major contribution to an entertaining if rather scrappy match.

Richmond were only really dominant in the set scrums where they constantly put Sutton under pressure on their own put in. Elsewhere, Sutton held their own, particularly in the backs, where their solid defence often surprised a rather complacent Richmond who also wasted several chances with a tendency to over complicate.

Had Sutton’s backs enjoyed as much quality possession as Richmond’s they gave the impression that they would have achieved considerably more. It also has to be said that Sutton were done no favours by a referee who penalised them at every opportunity but had a propensity to ignore a wide variety of illegalities committed by Richmond, especially at the breakdown.

Richmond took an early lead with a penalty by their Full Back and Captain Matt Hart and an unconverted try by their Hooker Martin Bolton from a catch and drive. Sutton’s Fly Half Joe Goatley responded with a good penalty from wide out on the left and then hit the post with another attempt from an easier position.

Sutton’s diminutive winger, 19 year old Charlie Purvis, almost scored from the rebound demonstrating the alertness and imagination which mark him down as an exciting prospect. Richmond extended their lead to 18-3 at the interval with a strange penalty try decision converted by Hart who then added another penalty.

Within 10 minutes of the restart Richmond put the result beyond doubt with two tries from replacement Prop Tom Nuttall and Scrum Half Alan Edington, both converted by Hart, to lead by 32-3. But then Sutton showed great resilience and not a little skill to score three tries of their own in the place of 15 minutes.

The first came against the run of play when Richmond mounted a dangerous looking attack but Sutton’s exciting 18 year old Centre Will east made a timely interception and raced 80 metres to score between the posts. Goatley duly converted.

The Sutton’s strong running South African winger Ray Enslin marked his return with a determined diagonal run from blind to open. From the ensuing ruck his compatriot No.8 Anton Kriel also marked his debut by picking up and diving over in the corner.

After Hart had kicked his third penalty Sutton scored possibly the best try of the day.

A concerted attack resulted in Kiwi Centre Bryan Milne receiving the ball in the middle of Richmond’s 22 but with nowhere to go. He solved this problem with a spectacular 25 yard miss pass which Flanker Felix Symonds collected with great skill on the half volley before putting Purvis over in the left corner.

Sadly Sutton could not maintain their comeback and Richmond added two late tries by Flanker Michael Kedgeley and Hart, who converted one.

On this form Sutton must surely start to improve their League position soon but face a stern task on Saturday when they visit unbeaten second placed Shelford away.