Richmond slumped to their fourth defeat in five games as mid-table Shelford ran in seven tries on Saturday, writes Tim Forrester.

Having missed an early penalty, Shelford opened their account with an ominously easy try after 11 minutes. A break through the centre opened up Richmond’s defence and Chris Glynn gave a scoring pass to hooker Mark erven. Edward Gough converted.

Richmond’s forwards made little headway and the moves in the backs looked telegraphed and cumbersome while any advantage they may have gained for a yellow card for Warrick Anderson for not rolling away was lost when John Downey followed suit for the same offence a minute later.

Two further disasters in the next five minutes effectively decided the game.

First, Shelford ripped the ball clear from a maul in the Richmond 22 and centre Toby Berridge leisurely offered a scoring pass t winger Scott Jakowski, Gough again converting.

Then, after 20 minutes, came a red card for Richmond’s Tristan Wesley after the touch judge had attracted the attention of the referee. There was no crowd noise nor visible reaction from any Shelford player, but the referee seemed to indicate the use of the head.

Shelford’s third try followed almost immediately as Berridge jinked through a static defence to take the score to 21-0.

Finally, Richmond strung some consistent attack together in the final 10 minutes of the half and, after they had driven well into the opposition, Tom George passed for winger Jonny Wehbe to squeeze over for their first try.

Trailing 21-5, Richmond started the second half with more conviction.

But the momentum did not last and, after Downey was harshly penalised for a heavy tackle, Birkby scampered away and Gough supported well to score his side’s fourth try. Gough again converted.

The fifth try was more of the same as Berridge skipped through the defence before giving a scoring pass to Birkby under the posts.

Seven minutes later fellow centre Anderson followed suit, favouring a direct and equally productive route to make it 42-5.

The introduction of half backs Toby Henry and Sean Flynn provided Richmond with new direction and Tim Cook sped through a gaping hole in the home defence for a well-executed second try.

Three minutes later, Flynn put in a well-judged cross kick, Neil Piggot puleld it bac from the touchline and Henry Head crossed for the try to make it 42-17.

But Richmond were unable to gain a bonus point and Shelford got the final try when Anderson ran in from half way.

Richmond will look to put things right at home to Lydney next Saturday (3pm).

Richmond: M Harte, J Wehbe, T Gregory (S Flynn), T Cook, N Piggot, L Cousins, J Platt (T Henry), A Lyon, E Rosa (J Phipps), E Atkinson (D Parkinson), H Head (captain), T Wesley, T George, J Downey (J Farmer), P Clarke.

Tries: Wehbe, Cook, Head. Conversion: M Hart.