Richmond 10/12/05

Richmond 5 Meds 31

A windy cold day in Richmond saw Meds take an away win but the pack had to work hard for it against a solid, experienced Richmond pack and a pitch heavy underfoot. For most of the first half Richmond played  the game in Meds half with the Richmond pack steeling a fair share of Meds ball, due some upright running by the Meds pack, but Richmond were unable to capitalize on it. In a match where penalties featured highly on both sides, Meds first try came from a penalty which resulted in a ruck on the half way line, the backs shifted the ball all the way down the line to Dowson on the wing, who made ground and put in a beautiful long pass to Hooker Filson to score under the posts. Meds backs constantly looked dangerous, with Downson continuing some probing runs, and Kerrigan being kept busy returning some useful Richmond kicks. Just before half time Richmond capitalized on a dreadful lineout which showed sloppy play by the Meds pack allowing Richmond to score in the corner.

 In the second half, Meds showed some traditional flair, again with Joll, Kerrigan and Dowson testing the Richmond defence. A Meds penalty close to the Richmond line allowed 2nd Row Lewis to score in a cheeky, well rehearsed fowards move. This was shortly followed by a run by 2nd row Henderson who looked to be running into trouble and missed several chances of offloading, to eventually get the ball down the line to Downson who easily went round the outside of his man to score. Dowson shortly after this capitalized on a huge mistake by the Richmond back line to run in from the half way line for his second score. Scrappy play on both sides in the second half again saw many penalties in both directions and did not make a great spectacle, but in the final minute all was forgiven with a ball gained from a lost Meds line out, a ruck 10 metres out from Richmonds line a bullocking run by No. 8 Hobo who off loaded to a quick thinking Lewis to cut the Richmond defense in half and score his 2nd try. 

Final score Richmond 5-31 Meds.