Old Richians 30-12 Cheltenham Saracens

Cheltenham Saracens travelled to Sandyleaze in the pouring rain, knowing a win could take them top of Gloucester Premier.

With the downpour ending before kick-off, both teams started competitively with a midfield battle seeing Saracens with slightly more possession and territory, but unable to get through the well-drilled Richians defence.

Richians opened the scoring through a penalty, but controversy arose after the three points were given despite only one touch judge having raised the flag.

Saracens started well from the restart and tried to string fast phases together to try and unpick Richians' defence, but were unable to.

Eventually, Sarries' pressure was rewarded and they won a penalty, however, stand-in kicker Jack Medcroft was unable to convert.

More controversy then surrounded Richians' opening try, when the move was started by an arguable forward pass.

But the winger's kick over the up-rushing defence saw him collect and tap down in the corner for an unconverted try to lead 8-0.

A successful penalty minutes before half-time saw Richians extend their lead to 11-0.

Despite Sarries trying to regain something before half-time, Richians managed to run down the clock and kick out to end the first half 11-0 ahead.

The second half saw a more aggressive Saracens - defending well against early pressure from the home side - but this pressure did not last and Sarries found themselves attacking, but were once again unable to get through.

The first try of the second half was chalked up by the hosts, when a well-worked backs move from a lineout saw them extend their lead but it was unconverted to lead 16-0.

From the restart, Sarries pressured Richians' defence - asking questions of the forwards.

A lineout saw the maul do its duty and march upfield before being stopped just before the line.

Patient phases saw a gap open for replacement winger Chris Wilkinson, who glided over in the corner despite being tackled by his opposite man.

The angle was too much for Medcroft, but the ball was only inches wide.

Sarries attacked right from the restart - running attacking moves from their own half instead of kicking.

Centre, Jack Lawrenson, found a gap in the defence and went for a run only to be tackled around the face directly in front of the referee, who waved play on.

Minutes later, Richians extended their lead as a centre of their own broke through a tackle and scored under the posts for a converted try to make it 23-5 to Richians.

Stand-in fly-half Jack Kerr got Saracens back on the score sheet though.

After Sarries worked their way into Richians' 22, and were banging on the home side's door, the fly-half weaved his way past tackles until a gap opened up and he went through under the sticks.

An easy Medcroft conversion saw Sarries close the gap, 23-12.

This slight comeback was halted by another Richians' converted try though after Sarries fluffed their lines at the restart.
A knock-on was the signal of the last play, and Richians managed to kick the ball into touch after the resulting scrum to end the game.