Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 7, 2022 14:08:53 GMT
Richmond preview
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Round 18, Richmond Rugby v Doncaster Knights, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG)
12th February, 3pm KO
Richmond Rugby
Richmond were one of the 21 original member clubs of the RFU. The RFU was formed in 1871 after a meeting presided over by Edward Carleton Holmes (the captain of Richmond Football Club) ‘to codify the rules of the game and to provide a central governing body.’ Up to this point each team played differing rules.
They play at their Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG) home, which borders Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club. Early in the professional era Richmond played at the Madejski Stadium in Reading before they went bankrupt.
Recent head to head performances
Mond will want to lay a marker down to other teams in the Championship by beating second-placed Knights, after their draw against third-placed Pirates. Especially because Mond haven’t beaten the Knights in recent times.
Last time out…
Richmond welcomed third-placed Cornish Pirates to their RAG and managed to draw. The draw only happened after the Pirates scored a try late in the game.
Mond tries were scored by scrum half James Lennon (26th min), Back Row Huw Worthington (29th min) and who else but No. 8 Mark Bright (39th min). This would normally suggest that tries were scored off the set piece. However, last Saturday Lennon finished off a penetrating move by the backs. Man of the match Worthington also scored after he supported winger Owain James.
The Knights welcomed Bedford Blues to Castle Park, had a four-point win and managed to nil them.
Mond danger men
Mond’s No.8 Mark Bright remains the top try-scorer in the Championship with thirteen tries from fourteen games. That averages out at virtually a try scored every game. To be top try-scorer when the team they play for is ninth suggests some serious prowess.
Mond’s fly half, ex-Knight James Kane is the fifth top points scorer in the division.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Mond have conceded the sixth fewest number of points at home in the Championship, but the Knights have scored the sixth highest number. Predominantly their back row or their scrum half score off scrums, rucks and mauls.
Saturday’s game
After two consecutive home games, the Knights travel to London to play Richmond at the RAG. The Knights won 37-5 at their Castle Park fortress and want to maintain their unbeaten momentum this year by beating Mond away.
As mentioned, ninth-placed Mond welcomed third-placed Cornish Pirates to their RAG last Saturday because both teams had to play delayed games. They drew 24-24, a score that Mond will be far happier with than the Pirates. Mond will be far more confident at playing Doncaster Knights after drawing with the Pirates. Yes, the Knights are second, but Mond will have had it drilled into them that the Knights have lost three pf their seven away games this season.
The rest of the Championship
Hartpury (5) v Jersey Reds (3)
Nottingham (10) v Coventry (8)
Cornish Pirates (4) v London Scottish (11)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Bedford Blues (7)
Ampthill BYE
The Knights are second and Richmond are ninth. Ealing Trailfinders are two points above with two games in hand, Jersey Reds are third one point below after playing the same number of games. Cornish Pirates are fourth, three points below but with two games in hand. A Knights loss could see them drop to fourth if the Reds and the Pirates win. A Knights win could see them rise to the top if the Blues beat Trailfinders.
Jersey have lost one more game and drawn a game that Knights haven’t, but their five extra bonus points are equivalent to a bonus-point win. Trailfinders have scored twelve bonus points, the Reds have scored eleven and the Pirates have scored nine. The Knights have scored six. Trailfinders and the Pirates two games in hand but the Knights have an extra win recorded than Trailfinders and two extra wins than the Pirates. It could be argued that the Knights’ defence is the strongest in the Championship or almost because Trailfinders have conceded thirteen fewer points or 6.5/game and the Pirates have conceded 27 fewer points or 13.5/game.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
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Round 18, Richmond Rugby v Doncaster Knights, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG)
12th February, 3pm KO
Richmond Rugby
Richmond were one of the 21 original member clubs of the RFU. The RFU was formed in 1871 after a meeting presided over by Edward Carleton Holmes (the captain of Richmond Football Club) ‘to codify the rules of the game and to provide a central governing body.’ Up to this point each team played differing rules.
They play at their Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG) home, which borders Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club. Early in the professional era Richmond played at the Madejski Stadium in Reading before they went bankrupt.
Recent head to head performances
Mond will want to lay a marker down to other teams in the Championship by beating second-placed Knights, after their draw against third-placed Pirates. Especially because Mond haven’t beaten the Knights in recent times.
Last time out…
Richmond welcomed third-placed Cornish Pirates to their RAG and managed to draw. The draw only happened after the Pirates scored a try late in the game.
Mond tries were scored by scrum half James Lennon (26th min), Back Row Huw Worthington (29th min) and who else but No. 8 Mark Bright (39th min). This would normally suggest that tries were scored off the set piece. However, last Saturday Lennon finished off a penetrating move by the backs. Man of the match Worthington also scored after he supported winger Owain James.
The Knights welcomed Bedford Blues to Castle Park, had a four-point win and managed to nil them.
Mond danger men
Mond’s No.8 Mark Bright remains the top try-scorer in the Championship with thirteen tries from fourteen games. That averages out at virtually a try scored every game. To be top try-scorer when the team they play for is ninth suggests some serious prowess.
Mond’s fly half, ex-Knight James Kane is the fifth top points scorer in the division.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Mond have conceded the sixth fewest number of points at home in the Championship, but the Knights have scored the sixth highest number. Predominantly their back row or their scrum half score off scrums, rucks and mauls.
Saturday’s game
After two consecutive home games, the Knights travel to London to play Richmond at the RAG. The Knights won 37-5 at their Castle Park fortress and want to maintain their unbeaten momentum this year by beating Mond away.
As mentioned, ninth-placed Mond welcomed third-placed Cornish Pirates to their RAG last Saturday because both teams had to play delayed games. They drew 24-24, a score that Mond will be far happier with than the Pirates. Mond will be far more confident at playing Doncaster Knights after drawing with the Pirates. Yes, the Knights are second, but Mond will have had it drilled into them that the Knights have lost three pf their seven away games this season.
The rest of the Championship
Hartpury (5) v Jersey Reds (3)
Nottingham (10) v Coventry (8)
Cornish Pirates (4) v London Scottish (11)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Bedford Blues (7)
Ampthill BYE
The Knights are second and Richmond are ninth. Ealing Trailfinders are two points above with two games in hand, Jersey Reds are third one point below after playing the same number of games. Cornish Pirates are fourth, three points below but with two games in hand. A Knights loss could see them drop to fourth if the Reds and the Pirates win. A Knights win could see them rise to the top if the Blues beat Trailfinders.
Jersey have lost one more game and drawn a game that Knights haven’t, but their five extra bonus points are equivalent to a bonus-point win. Trailfinders have scored twelve bonus points, the Reds have scored eleven and the Pirates have scored nine. The Knights have scored six. Trailfinders and the Pirates two games in hand but the Knights have an extra win recorded than Trailfinders and two extra wins than the Pirates. It could be argued that the Knights’ defence is the strongest in the Championship or almost because Trailfinders have conceded thirteen fewer points or 6.5/game and the Pirates have conceded 27 fewer points or 13.5/game.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
but the performance for the last 20 to take the win was excellent.
