The Men’s 1sts crashed to a second consecutive defeat against a well-drilled Richmond side who did all the basics right and whose overall superiority in both the set-pieces and loose play was accurately reflected in the final score.

Playing with the advantage of the breeze on an exceptionally warm and sunny mid-October today, Ealing conceded after just 4 minutes. In a well-rehearsed move the Richmond scrum-half looped around from a solid 5-metre scrum and touched down wide out on the left, the conversion being missed after the ball toppled over twice in the strong wind. The hosts continued to enjoy an advantage in the set pieces, and after 10 minutes extended their lead when the scrum half stole the ball from a retreating Ealing scrum and dived over under the posts, with the extras duly added. The visiting forwards then enjoyed a better spell, without securing enough quality possession to allow full use of the following wind, but Richmond added a third try courtesy of powerful running and well-timed passes in the back line. A bonus-point fourth try followed soon afterwards through the No 8, before Ealing finally managed to get on the score sheet. What appeared at first to be a slightly ill-judged chip ahead by second-row Devis Acellam in midfield induced panic in the Richmond defence, the Ealing forwards regained possession and flanker Alex Turton finished to the right of the posts, Harry Vidler adding the conversion. The first period ended with a fifth home try which demonstrated the importance of making early tackles. A Richmond player caught the ball 5 metres from his own line and set up a move that eventually led to a fine try on the right wing thanks to a perfectly timed offload as Tom Agu-Benson put in a last-ditch tackle.

With a deficit of 22 points to make up and playing against the elements in the second half, any hopes of a recovery were dashed when the Richmond fly-half took a pass at pace on a clever line and touched down unopposed. A further period of dominance by the home team, with plentiful possession from the set pieces, led to two quick tries around the 70 minute mark, the first scored wide on the left and the second and final score coming through another powerful run on a clever angle by the fly-half. Despite some pressure as the game drew to a close, Ealing were unable to add to their score.

Team: Tim Hitchcock, Albert Stoute, Harry Robbins, John Worthington, Devis Acellam, Nyall Wake, Alex Turton, James Wilson, Harrison Slater, Ciaran Poynter, Afzaal Mir, Zack Godfrey, James Booth, Tom Agu-Benson, Ben Bridgewood. Replacements: Charlie Bannister, Pat Nash, Nyasha Sean Munemo, Vinnie Berrington. Harry Vidler

This Saturday, 20 October, Ealing make the long trip to Suffolk to take on Bury St Edmunds.