Home woe continues for Greens as Knights edge to title

Though the lead changed hands five times, the visitors had, prior to their finishing surge, held the advantage on the scoreboard for a total of just eight of the 80 minutes. But, when it mattered, their pack’s efficient pick-and-drive technique overcame desperate Wharfedale defence.

Wharfedale started brightly, winger Scott Jordan opening the scoring with a try after only three minutes. Richmond took a narrow lead with full-back Warren Abrahams’ try, converted by stand-off Rob Kirby, before home stand-off Tom Barrett’s penalty edged the Greens back in front at 8-7.

Barrett slotted three penalties in quick succession but John Attlee’s converted try levelled the score, and Jordan’s second try made it 19-14 at half-time to Richmond.

Kirby closed the gap with a penalty, and the game then swung back and forth throughout the half, increasing numbers of errors from both sides feeding the palpable tension on the terraces.

Barrett landed two more penalties, including one from the half-way line, and a drop-goal.

Richmond scrum-half James contributed a try, Kirby adding the conversion and his second penalty, leaving the game on a knife-edge at 28-27.

The Greens looked to be holding out, until the Richmond pack, in the final play, forced themselves over the line for lock Chris Davies to grab the glory.

Doncaster Knights were made to work in the final stages of their win over Blaydon at Castle Park.

Having demonstrated some of their finest rugby of the season in the opening 30 minutes the Knights established a 19-0 lead courtesy of tries from Mat Clark, Michael Hills and Chris Walker.

Despite the impressive start the Geordies stuck to their task and got a deserved score before the interval. The visitors continued their attacking play into the second period and only resolute Doncaster defence prevented them adding to their score. Despite the continued pressure it was the Knights who touched down next through winger Dougie Flockhart, securing a four-try bonus point. The remainder of the game belonged firmly to the away side who forced further scores, firstly through Newcastle Falcons loanee Zach Kibirige before a second for Smithson to make the final score 24-19. Doncaster remain eight points clear of second placed Rosslyn Park.

Hull Ionians put in a hard-working effort at Worthing but succumbed to a 34-17 defeat as errors let them down once again.

Worthing put 19 points on the board before Ionians got off the mark as the hosts’ centre pairing of Oliver and Kiba Richards were gifted three tries between them.

The visitors responded with a well-worked try from Chris Reakes and a collective effort from the pack, the try credited to Tom Rice and both converted by Isaac Green to narrow the deficit.

The second period was played out mainly in Ionians’ half with only isolated incursions.