Southend RFC 35 - Richmond RFC 22
Sep
Southend started this new season with a scintillating win over Richmond. They played good aggressive rugby from the kick off forcing Richmond into conceding five penalties in the first few minutes. Eventually Andrew Frost, back from his injury of last season, decided to put some points on the board and put the ball through the uprights. 3 0.
Southend continued to put the pressure on, getting their just reward a couple of minutes later with a fine try from dιbutante Sonny Gay. His late replacement for Mike Stanley gave him the chance to make his mark, which he did in fine style, cutting through Richmond's defence like a knife through butter. Frost converted 10 0.
Another successful penalty kick from Frost added another three points 13 0.
The crowd were being treated to some great stuff and it was not long before young Lee Guess, back at flanker, stole a loose ball and took Richmond on, shipping the ball across the field to Frost, his neat inside pass found Chris Vaughan who tagged up try number two. Frost converted. 20 0.
A flare up at the scrum saw yellow cards for Mark Williams and Richmond's John Aston, closely followed by a converted penalty from Luke Cousins giving Richmond their first points of the game.
HT score 20 3.
The second half saw Richmond responding to what must have been an encouraging team talk from their new coach because they came out taking the game to Southend. Good defence kept them out though and when Southend Captain Chris Green saw his chance he barged through and ran thirty meters to the line for his first try of the season, Frost converted and Richmond fell further behind. 30 3.
Their continued endeavours were finally rewarded when fly half Luke Cousins took a smart try following some determined play from their forwards, he converted his kick and the score moved to 30 10.
Southend needed another try to cap the afternoon off and secure a bonus point. With the crowd encouraging him Danny Cleare saw his chance and took off on a weaving run Accepting a tackle he drew the defence and shipped the ball to Southend flyer Mark Billings. Richmond were never going to catch him. Crossing the line far out he ran round under the posts and grounded the ball. Frost had gone off with a slight injury and the conversion was missed but the score moved on to 35 10.
With the game drawing to it's conclusion Southend seemed to take their foot off the pedal allowing Richmond to run two tries in the final minutes, one from Joe Trayfoot and the other from full back Jon Wehbe, Cousins converted one of them taking the final score to 35 22.
A satisfying start to the season with a very good all round team performance. Next weeks visit to league newcomers Hinkley will see if Southend can take this form on the road.
Penalties against. Southend 13 Richmond 12
Alan Grace.
