Nottingham showed their quality with an incredible seven-try performance under the lights, claiming a convincing win over Richmond.
The opening ten minutes saw Nottingham put together a few attacks, but they weren’t able to turn any of them into points until they won a penalty inside the 22 which Sam Hollingsworth kick to the corner. They then utilised the driving maul to great effect, with the captain Josh Poullet pushing over for the first try of the night.
They kept coming aswell. A great run from David Williams put the Archers in great scoring position again, winning a penalty with Mark Bright being shown the yellow card. Nottingham elected to take the scrum and after some quick hands, Charlie Thacker leapt over the line. However, the referee ruled that the ball was held up and Richmond were able to escape.
It wasn’t long before they got their second for real though. Hollingsworth began the attack with a fantastic 50-22 kick, and then finished it a few phases later, jumping over the line after an excellent attacking move from the lineout.
Richmond were able to hit back though. They ignited their own attack and thought they were in for a try in the corner, but the final pass was called forwards. However, the referee brought it back for a penalty five metres out which they took quick. Paul Kiernan was able to burrow his way through the Nottingham defence for the visitors first points of the evening.
With just a few minutes left in the first half, the Green and Whites extended their lead. Jordan Olowofela hit a beautiful cross-field kick for Charlie Thacker to chase down. The centre waw just about able to get there before it bounced into touch, leaping onto the ball and scoring his __ try of the season.
Craig Hammond’s men thought they were going to head into half time with a 12-point lead, but Richmond had other ideas. In the final minute of the half, they won a penalty and kicked to the corner. After a number of phases in which Nottingham did well to keep out, Luke Spring burrowed over the line.
The Green and Whites came out of the second half and immediately got back down to business. After a promising attack, helped by a couple of penalties, Richmond looked to have escaped by winning a scrum. However, the scrum went awry, and the ball bounced loose past the try line. Liam Slatem pounced to score the bonus point try.
Unfortunately though, it seemed that every time Nottingham had built a commanding lead, Richmond cut into it almost immediately. Five minutes later, Ntinga Mpiko pushed over the line to make it a seven-point game once again.
The home side kept at it though, and it was only a matter of time before the Olowofela brothers left their mark on the game. An excellent pass from Jordan to Ryan on the left wing gave Ryan the space to race over the line and take the lead to 12 points.
Notts were eventually able to pull away with fifteen minutes left. A yellow card for Richmond’s full back, Ted Landray put the visitors a man down once again, and this time the Archers immediately took advantage. Toby Williams pushed over the line to make the difference 19.
The final ten minutes saw both teams getting over the line once more each, with Mpiko scoring his second of the night, and Scott Hall blocking a kick and then chasing it down to score his first try for the club.
The win sees the Nottingham continue their excellent start to the season and keeps them in third place in the league.