Henry Robinson finished off a stunning score for Park as league leaders lost 13-18 at the Athletic Ground.

Joe Munro and Nick Scott put the visitors ahead early in the first half as Richmond’s late pressure was not enough.

“It as a very good game,” Park’s director of rugby Power said.

“We came her with a tactic to keep hold of the ball as much as we did. We played some good, pretty rugby which resulted in one fabulous try in the second half. They’re a very good side but we did our homework and came away with a great result.

“At times this season we’ve been a bit disjointed but I think that was one of our better performances as a whole XV. I haven’t seen [Robinson] move that quick in about three or four years. We played a kick game but Richmond should have played more – it went into our hands. We didn’t let them out of their half.”

Park jumped out the blocks with a driving maul after 10 minutes finished by Munro. And the lead was doubled seven minutes later, Holland’s cross-field kick finding Scott on the right wing.

Park’s attack did not stop for half an hour before momentum shifted to the home side. The reward came with four minutes to go, an error giving Kirby his first points from a penalty.

But Park restored the 10-point lead in the last move of the half as a high tackle saw Holland kick from 10 metres.

Richmond were gifted another penalty at the restart through a high tackle, Kirby doubling his takings on 48 minutes.

Power’s men found another gear, though, and stunned the crowds at the Athletic Ground.

After some offloads between Henry Cheeseman and Munro, Dave Lewis’ kick was chased down by Robinson into the bottom-left corner after 53 minutes.

Joe Munro scores for Park

They could have hit the 20-point mark three minutes later but Holland’s 10-metre kick hit the post.

And the fly-half’s chased kick put Richmond on the attack, leading to a sin-bin for Lewis.

The home side immediately capitalised as Jesse Liston found the line on 65 minutes.

But Park held on to win the London derby, cutting the gap at the top to four points as Richmond earned the losing bonus.

Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill said: “I though Park played very well, especially in the first 10 minutes.

“They put us under pressure at our set piece and scored some really good tries.

“I was pleased with how we came back in the second half as their third try was quite fortunate against the run of play.

“We just couldn’t get over line. It was a big game but we will have to fight another day.

“Ultimately the team that gives away less penalties wins and that was Park today.

“The bonus point will be useful but it still stinks at the moment.”

Stats

Richmond

Tries: Liston 65

Conversions: Kirby 66

Penalties: Kirby 36, 48

Team (15-9/1-8): Rob Kirby 7; Dan Kelly 5, Cam Mitchell © 5, Tom Hodgson 6, Louis Lynagh 4; Lewis Dennett 4, Jamie Gibbs 4 (Toby Dabell 61 5); David Banfield 5 (Ken Dowding 21 6), Ross Grimstone 7 (Callum Torpey 61 6), Jimmy Litchfield 6; Byron Hodge 4, Max Crawford 4 (Liston 63); Jake Parker 5 (Chris Allman 54 5), Toby Saysell 6, Jesse Liston 7 (Tom Pashley 54 6)

Replacements: Toy Dabell

Rosslyn Park

Tries: Munro 10, Scott 17, Robinson 53

Penalties: Holland 40

Sin bins: Lewis 63

Team (15-9/1-8): Henry Robinson 9; Ben Howard 8, Henry Cheeseman 9, Joe Munro 9, Nick Scott 10 (Jack Gash 65 8); Craig Holland 9, Dave Lewis 8 (Scott 73); Kyle Traynor 9, Tom Vaughan-Edwards 8 (Karl Gibson 60 7), Paul Doran-Jones 7 (Nick Lovell 63 7: Doran Jones 79); Sam Twomey 8 (Dan Laventure 63 7), Gregor Gillanders 9; James Freeman 9 (Mike Macfarlane 62 7), Arthur Ellis 8, Hugo Ellis © 8

Attendance: 1,495

Referee: Joe James

HT: 3-13

Star Man: Nick Scott – Rosslyn Park

Hull Ionians preview

Park go from top to bottom in the league as promoted Hull Ionians visit the Rock.

They faced a relegation battle last week against Canterbury – but saw off the Kent side with a 34-20 win.

After only a season out of National League 1, Greg Lound’s former side were victors when Ionians last visited as they nicked a 37-36 win.

November 19, 2019