October 18th, 2006

Richmond women 119 – 5 Blaydon

Richmond ran in an incredible 19 tries to produce a record breaking 119-5 victory over Premiership 1 newcomers, Bladyon, at the weekend.

Richmond showed no signs of their six hour coach journey, as lock Becky Essex gave her team a perfect start with a try in the first minute, galloping in from the 22.

The visitors clinched their bonus point within the first 15 minutes having added a further four tries, all through their pacey outside backs.  With fly half Alice Richardson in impressive kicking form, the score on the board quickly exceeded the time elapsed.

Having travelled to Northumberland with only four replacements after promising lock Sara Anastasi was struck down by tonsillitis the night before, Richmond worked hard to spread the workload with their 15 man expansive game plan, despite the best efforts of the strong Blaydon pack and the more unusual distractions provided by the adjacent circus!

As Richmond topped the half century on the half hour, Ireland winger Lynn Cantwell was the first to bag a hat trick when she crossed for the third time just before the break showing a turn of pace that the opposition simply couldn’t match.

Although the points kept coming, the visitors didn’t have it all their own way in the second half.  With all four replacements on, Richmond went down to 14 when a calf injury forced pack leader Dawn Mason, making a rare appearance in the second row in Anastasi’s absence, from the pitch.  Minutes later their number was reduced to 13 when player/coach prop Karen Findlay was unfortunate to join her team mate on the touchline, with a ten minute stint in the sin bin.

Blaydon finally got their chance.  Their pick and drive plan paid off when prop Katy Storie inched over for a consolation try, but it was a temporary respite as Richmond again took control, running the ball with skill and pace.  Wing Sarah Wakeford and centre Nicki Drinkwater added hat tricks of their own, with the latter going on to add a fourth try. Further tries also came through number 8 Claire Muir, centre Tina Lee, full back Claire Davies and Alice Richardson (two apiece) and replacements Erin Kerr and Val Trygstad. Helped by twelve conversions from Richardson, their 119 point tally is the highest ever recorded in Premiership 1.  The performance leaves them just one point behind table topping Saracens with a 100+ superior points difference.

Said coach Simon Crabb: “Despite the backs getting most of the points, it was an immense team effort by a special group of players.” 

Defence coach Duncan Simpson added: “Blaydon are big and strong up front and can win and keep ball but our defence was excellent and despite the score we showed 100% commitment to keep them from crossing.”

Richmond WRFC 1st XV: Claire Davies, Sarah Wakeford, Nicki Drinkwater (c), Tina Lee, Lynn Cantwell, Alice Richardson, Nicky Meston, Anna-Marie Butler, Emma Layland, Karen Findlay, Becky Essex, Dawn Mason, Vanessa Vanerman, Lucy Howland, Claire Muir.  Replacements: Claire Hoppe, Rowena Burnfield, Erin Kerr, Val Trygstad.

Ends…