Saracens Amateur RFC Limited

In the game that was always going to have a huge impact on the league title, Richmond took the win by the narrowest of margins after a fantastic contest.

Richmond scored first in this tough game. Wave after wave of attack was sent back by Saracens before second row Molly Kinsella dived across the line and Abi Chamberlain, whose kicking was superb in the game, converted in tricky conditions to make it 7-0.

Richmond continued the pressure before Tash Brennan crossed for their second try with Chamberlain again converting to give Richmond a 14-0 lead on the half hour mark.

Saracens then found themselves with a sustained period of possession in the Richmond half but some dogged defence meant the only reward was a penalty from Sarah Mckenna just before half time.

The second half was a somewhat scrappier affair with the pressure exerted by both teams causing errors. The game continued at the ferocious pace with incredible work at the breakdown by the openside flankers Hannah Field, Richmond’s player of the match, and the incredible Maggie Alphonsi.

It was Alphonsi who finally broke the second half deadlock with a try in the 65th minute to make it 14-8. Richmond looked like they were starting to tire from the constant pressure of Saracens allowing scrum half Leanne Riley, Saracen’s Player of the match, to sneak under the defensive line to score in the 75th minute. McKenna was unable to convert leaving Saracens one point behind at 14-13.

The final few frantic minutes were a special treat for the large watching crowd as the two best sides in the country give everything to the match. There was desperate scrambling for loose balls, kicks to touch before time was up and the Richmond scrum giving everything it had. With the press box privy to the referee’s time calls and almost unable to watch the tense finish, Jo Watmore put the ball in touch to give Richmond a valuable win. 14-13.

Photos by Elaine Peedle