Beefy Richmond pack get on a roll

THREE catch-drives tries and a super sub dot down by utility back Martin Freeman saw promoted Richmond comfortably win their pre-season opener.

Director of rugby Steve Hill said: “I was pleased as we got 28 players to have a really good hit out against a strong Park squad. There were lots of positives and lots to improve but for a first run out, the new players showed that they had adapted to how we want to play.

“We wanted to have a look at our catch-and-drive and scrum as that will stand us in good stead for the Championship games.”

Richmond’s pack dominance slowed down initial running play by Park’s backs and led to a try after seven minutes, with flanker Jack Allcock on the end of the first catch and drive.

The next 20 minutes was played deep in Park’s half with Park No.8 Hugo Ellis sin-binned for a professional foul off the ball.

Richmond continued to use the height of new lock signings player-coach Matt Corker and Tyler Hotson to put pressure on Park, whose defence held up until a second catch-drive maul just after the half-hour mark.

Then Park second-row Paul Spivey saw yellow for obstruction.

Both sides made changes after half-time and Park looked the stronger with flyhalf Scott Sneddon starting to provide some good link play.

But replacement hooker Richard Townsend grabbed the third try for Richmond before fellow new boy Freddie Gabbitass added the extras. No.9 Matt Heeks’ tactical play kept causing problems and a neat offload to centre Freeman led to Richmond’s fourth. Park’s Harry Broadbent scored a consolation try at the death.

Park player-coach Sneddon said:“It was frustrating but a good hit-out. Ill-discipline was aggravating and something we will work on. We held our own in spells and looked threatening but we need to work on that final pass.”