Two late Doncaster Knights tries saw Richmond turn a one-point lead into a pointless defeat, after tries from Ed Milne and Ronnie McLean had seen them lead with just 15 minutes to go.


They say the bounce of a rugby ball is unpredictable, and it was the bounce of the ball that dictated this game from the very first seconds. Off the kick off, Richmond charged down Doncaster’s clearance and Ed Milne went under the posts to open up an early lead.

The rest of the first half was a defensive masterclass, as Richmond soaked up a huge amount of pressure and managed to concede
just 13 points – made all the sweeter when Ronnie McLean turned Richmond’s second visit to Doncaster’s 22 into another seven-pointer and opened up a one point lead at the break.


The second half was a nip and tuck affair, with Richmond this time doing most of the pressurising, but time and time again, the final pass went to ground, or a big attacking set finished with an error.


Rob Kirby’s boot eventually pushed Richmond back into the lead, but the bounce of the ball wasn’t finished there – and a kick to nothing flicked off Richmond hands and straight into Doncaster’s rampaging attacker.

A high tackle stopped him short, but when the ball was recycled, it was a try in the corner and a yellow card for high tackler Will Warden.


Richmond rolled the dice late on, and the losing bonus point went missing when Sam Edgerley’sloose pass was picked off for an interception run in with the last play of the game.

Too many errors caused the defeat, the bounce of the ball ensured it. Failing to secure any points will hurt, but Richmond’s endeavour is growing, and with a long trip to Cornish Pirates next weekend, there is time to work on the mistakes that cost them victory this week.