Director of rugby Steve Hill might have been proud of Richmond's second half showing on Saturday, but the game was up at the break as his side suffered a second successive National Division One defeat at Coventry.

The Athletic Ground outfit, who started the season with five straight wins, crashed 48-27 in the Midlands - conceding seven tries in the process - as they slipped out of the title race in the space of two weekends.

Favourites Ealing stretched their advantage at the top of the table to three points with a 73-15 triumph over struggling Macclesfield.

Hill's men, who were 36-8 down at half time before they claimed a bonus point with four second half scores, are nine points off the pace. 

And the Richmond chief vowed to put things right for Saturday's visit of Blackheath.

"Many teams being 36-8 down before half time would have simply capitulated, but a losing bonus point was an important gain," said Hill.

"The challenge for this week will be to put right the things that got us into that poor position before the break."