Muddy marvels Richmond pip Titans to avoid drop

A JONO Woodward try in the corner early in the second half proved to be the difference as Richmond ended their seven-match losing run to secure their Championship survival against bottom club Rotherham.

Richmond built their foundation on solid setpiece and fine territorial kicking from full-back Rob Kirby in a scrappy affair.

Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill said: “I’m really pleased, we’ve had some tough games lately and were unlucky in Jersey. Rotherham are fighting for their lives and fought for the whole game but particularly in the second half we controlled things really well and they barely threatened us.

“The conditions were difficult but not impossible and we got some more pace and passes together. That win makes it certain we’re in the Championship next year and that’s what this season was all about so we’re delighted.”

An early high tackle by Richmond prop Jeremy Cunnew led to Rotherham taking an early lead with the boot of Lee Millar and with the mud proving slippery, both fullbacks had a kicking duel early on.

Two Rotherham infringements by their 22metre line saw Kirby give the home-side the lead.

Rotherham then spent 20 minutes deep in Richmond territory but two poor lineouts proved costly.

On the 26th minute, Millar countered with centre James Cooke and wing Drew Cheshire in tandem, a three on one looked odds on but a poor pass to Cheshire reprieved the home-side.

Richmond centre Cameron Mitchell came close with a kick-chase and a following catch-drive looked over but for inconclusive grounding.

The home-side pressed on and a well taken lineout to No.8 Chris Davies went wide through Cunnew with Mitchell finding talismanic winger Woodward who scored in the corner.

Titans’ wing Will Thomas came close as he cascaded down the flank after a break from Millar off a lineout but the wideman could only find touch.

Rotherham struggled with Richmond in the loose in the second half but several changes saw them step up and two breaks by impact replacement Jake Henry went close.

Rotherham coach Nic Rouse, said: “There were too many errors in our game today. We had a couple of opportunities in the first half and if we’d got a last pass and taken those two tries rather than get white line fever then it would have been a different game.

“We made errors chasing the game and Richmond did what they do with a tight defence very well.”