In the last fixture of a long, gruelling 149th season Richmond convincingly overwhelmed visitors Dings Crusaders by seven tries to four in a typical end of season game.

For Richmond there were plenty of positives, the win being the first in two seasons against Dings and providing an upbeat end to the season with a sequence of four wins in the final six games.

This looks likely to leave the side in eighth position in London Two (South), a much better achievement than looked likely mid season and it provides some strong building blocks for next season.

Richmond fielded an unchanged side from the previous week and featured just six players who started in the opening game of the season against Dings back in September 2009.

Starting confidently after the good win against Canterbury, Richmond dominated early proceedings and ran the ball at their opponents at every opportunity.

Whilst maintaining the pace which had surprised Canterbury, Richmond could not find the same clinical efficiency.

Ed Rosa was called back for a forward pass when nearly clear and errors at critical moments prevented any early score. Dings gradually settled down and finally worked their way into the home 22.

After 18 minutes, the stalemate was finally broken, the initial impetus coming from turnover ball as the prominent Rosa burst away from a ruck.

Toby Henry supported and scampered through a gap in the defence before handing on to the backs, Nick Moore powering into the 22 before being pulled down.

Johnny Wehbe, always alert to opportunity, was first on the scene to pick up the loose ball and run in from fifteen metres. Luke Cousins kicked the conversion, almost faultless again with his place kicking.

Against the run of play, Dings equalised after 28 minutes.

A sequence of Richmond handling errors giving them the platform for a forward’s try in the corner.

Tristan Wesley nearly scored a popular try in the next minute but was recalled for a foot in touch. But there was only the shortest of delays before the second try did ensue, courtesy again of full back Wehbe, who took a lovely scissors pass from the industrious David West, coming into the line from the blind side.

The conversion in front of the posts was missed and generosity continued when Richmond dropped a straightforward high ball in defence to present Dings with an easy run in for a levelling score by winger George Watkins.

Only a last minute long distance penalty from Cousins gave Richmond the half time lead at 15-12, scant reward for clear superiority.

The second half got off to a better start, Cousins adding a penalty in the first minute after Joe Brown did well to claim the kick off ball. Frustratingly Richmond continued to offer a curate’s egg of a performance, individual excellence and imaginative support lines being marred by careless handling.

After 13 minutes, the front row took control with the more direct route, Darryl Marfo blasting a hole in the opposition defence to put David West into space to find the ever present Peter Clarke on his shoulder for the try.

Clarke was back on the scoreboard one minute later, Gavin Hart, impressive at No 8, making the initial inroads before the backs, now so much more fluent, ran in from 70m, Nick Moore accelerating into space and again finding the open side flanker in support.

With the score 32-12 Richmond looked able to penetrate the Dings defence at will but the next score fell to Dings, hooker Dave Wheeler just making the line after breaking the tackle with a strong five metre burst.

Freshened by substitutes (including home debutant Chris Brown in an encouraging cameo), both sides commendably continued to run the ball in the sapping conditions and more tries were inevitable. Joe Brown was twice involved in the next score, setting up Wehbe for his hat trick and another storming personal finish to a season, having scored four tries in the last game of the season the previous year.

With six minutes to go game Dings No 8 Gavin Curry battered over the line through tired defence to earn his side a bonus point. But Richmond finished well, Alex Maclennan acting as provider for the speedy Brown and then deservedly taking the plaudits himself, running in the final try from twenty-five metres for Sean Flynn to add the conversion.

It was good to finish the season with a convincing victory in front of a crowd of over 800.

Some wonderful tries have been scored in the last few matches and spectators have been treated to over 700 points in a season which has been topsy turvy and seldom dull. Tristan Wesley and Henry Head were adjudged joint Laithwaites’ men of the match, fair recognition for the locks who have given their all throughout nearly every game of a massively demanding season.

Whilst the first XV can finally enjoy a summer break, other sides have important games and next weekend features two big games, the Vikings competing in the final of the Surrey Cup (Imber Court at 5pm on Sunday May 2) and the Colts in the final of the National Plate (Franklin’s Garden, Northampton at 2.30 on Monday May 3 ).

And, finally, there is the Rosslyn Park Sevens at Upper Richmond Road, Roehampton from 5pm on Thursday May 6. Tries: Wehbe (3), Clarke (2), J.Brown, Maclennan Conversions: Cousins(4), Flynn Penalties: Cousins(2) Team: J.Wehbe, J.Brown, A.Maclennan, N.Moore, D.West (C.Brown), L.Cousins (S.Flynn), T.Henry, A.Lyon, E.Rosa (J.Clapson), D.Marfo (A.Friel), H.Head (C), T.Wesley, T.George (T.Sadler), G.Hart, P.Clarke.