Carnegie respond to half-time roasting
YORKSHIRE Carnegie put a shocking first half display behind them to ease relegation concerns with a come-from-behind victory over Richmond.
Trailing 16-0 at the break to a Luc Jones try and nine points from Rob Kirby’s boot, a half-time roasting from rugby director Chris Stirling did the trick as Carnegie responded with three tries to secure a third successive league win.
Dan Temm kick-started the revival with a poacher’s try before star man Jacob Umaga bagged a skilful second and Craig Mitchell completed a thrilling comeback – although Stirling remained unimpressed by the first half ‘no show’.
“I’m fed up being grumpy with these guys because I know we’re better than that,” said Stirling.
“Our discipline cost us in the first half and we backed that up with handling errors. We gave the players a clear message at half-time and said this is where it comes down to character and showing that you care.
“We left them alone to think about it and they responded. It’s seven wins on the trot in all competitions, which is progress, but we must be better against Ealing next week.”
Kirby slotted Richmond in front after Antonio Kiri Kiri failed to roll away before successive lineout steals from Matt Smith and Lemalu Faatiga put Yorkshire on the front foot.
Indiscipline prevented Carnegie from capitalising and, amid a rapidly rising penalty count, Kirby doubled his side’s lead after Andrew Foster hit the deck at scrum-time.
Yorkshire should have paid further for an errorstrewn opening 30 minutes. But Richmond’s inability to secure their own lineout ball allowed the visitors off the hook until Kirby added a third penalty after Richard Mayhew was pinged at the breakdown.
Carnegie were penalised for the ninth time on the stroke of half-time and, with Temm sin-binned for his trouble, Richmond cashed-in when Rory Damant sent Rupert Freestone through. Chris Davies and Will Warden pounded the line and Jones pounced. Kirby converted for 16-0 – a score that flattered Yorkshire.
Carnegie needed a response and an early
second-half flurry earned a penalty that Umaga smashed over. Respite was brief, though, as Jones and Damant fashioned a strike move from a lineout that led to a period of intense Richmond pressure.
Yorkshire dug in and, with Temm back, broke to win a penalty from which Umaga found the corner. Smith took the lineout and Temm finished.
Yorkshire’s impetus sent the penalty count into reverse and Richmond were punished again when Umaga kicked deep and, from the lineout, the ball went wide to Chris Elder. He flicked inside for Umaga to tap through and score – then convert for 16-15.
Richmond broke through Ben Rath, only for Damant to be turned over. Yorkshire promptly completed the turnaround on 70 minutes when Umaga again kicked to the corner. Josh Bainbridge soared and Mitchell ploughed over in the corner.
Richmond sought a late riposte as Damant raced 50m, but Yorkshire scrambled back and Kiri Kiri’s turnover sealed the win.
Richmond boss Steve Hill reflected: “It’s frustrating to have led 16-0 and only gained a point. Our execution and decision-making in the first half was good, but we gave them ball in the second and they’re a strong side running at you.”