On Saturday we were on the road again on the long trip to London playing joint top of the league Richmond. This was round eleven of the season and we were desperate to get back to winning ways after the frustration of the previous weeks where we had performed well but were unable to finish games off and come away with the points. The weather on the day was atrocious with gale force winds and driving rain but in fairness to the home team the pitch was in excellent condition. Richmond elected to play against the elements in the first half and initial exchanges saw both teams kicking for territory relying on a good kick chase to gain possession in each others half. Our initial set piece was good with a solid scrum and an accurate line out despite the difficult conditions. Both sets of players carried the ball hard but both defences were solid with neither team getting a foothold in each others twenty two. Our discipline was very good in the first half only giving three penalties away and it was the Tigers who got on the scoreboard first with a penalty right on half time. We went into the break 3-0 up and a very pleasing half of Rugby. The second half started much the same as the first and it was the home team who had the chance to go into the lead but could not convert their penalties. We then got a second penalty on 50 minutes which was converted by fly half Warren Seales to give us a 6-0 lead with most of the half to go. However Richmond hit back with a try three minutes later after a good line break which put them in the lead 6-7. We were still very much in the game at this point staying in the kick battle and pressuring their defence at every opportunity. However a yellow card six minutes later put us down to fourteen players. The ensuing penalty put us back in our twenty two from which they drove the line out over giving them a second converted try. We were now down 6-14 going into the last twenty minutes but still confident that we could get back in the game. We continued to look to play Rugby in their half but in the end we could not break down the home teams defence. They did get a third score after a good half break and off load and the game ended 6-21 to the home team and another disappointing loss for the Tigers. In fairness to Richmond they probably deserved the victory but it was so disappointing to come away with nothing after the huge effort that all the players put in. We have now played the top three teams in the last three weeks and have pushed them all the way but we have to be able to finish games off. The effort and commitment of this group of players cannot be questioned and we know that we are not far away from that winning performance. We have a much needed break next Saturday which gives every one a chance to recharge the batteries and prepare for the next challenge. We have three more games before the Xmas break two at home and one away which will have a big impact on the rest of the season. We are confident that we can get back to winning ways.
Thanks, Steve Hazz.
