Castle 2s hosted our friends Richmond first team in a quickly arranged friendly. Richmond showed their intent to use this game as a boost to what’s being a tough season for them after rejoining the league structure.

They demonstrated their intent by warming up before the Castle lads had even turned up. This pre game prep showed early reward as Richmond surged to an early 19-0 lead led by their no8, who really ran rampant and Barney found difficult to tackle.

The home side got back into the game with multiple attacking runs and won rucks, but a lack of support allowed Richmond to clear the danger.

One sliced clearance allowed Alfie Franks to field the ball at half way, he drew the cover and released Ethan Sedgewick to show his amazing speed to run 30yards untouched for a deserved try.

Richmond then extended their lead despite Barney being well in the game. The second half kicked off and as the lads have constantly shown this season that they don’t give in and with the bit between the teeth they constantly put Richmond under pressure and this led to Chris Benn charging over for his first senior try with a perfectly timed run and open to blind angle from the 12, channel. The conversion from Kai North was good.

By now Barney were in control and the forwards were back to hard runs up the guts of Richmond defence and this allowed the backline to use quick hands to get back to the try line with a quick ball from Steen for Chris to score his second try, with the kick missed.

Richmond got back into the game with another two quick try’s against the run of play, but Barney weren’t letting them have the final say and some more beautiful rugby allowed Man of the Match 'colossus' Johnny Bartlett to force himself over the line for a thoroughly deserved try, with the conversion landed by Kai North.

The final whistle was blown and when the dust settled, after a very good attacking game of rugby from both teams, despite the quagmire of a pitch, the final score was 24-50 to Richmond 1sts.

Castle's managers gathered the lads for the post match debrief and had nothing but praise for the lads after what could have been a hiding by a 1st team, who our developing second team matched for most of the match.

Players of note were as follows: massive games from George Ford and Johnny Bartlett, Chris Benn for his two try’s and continued development, North and Steen for sharing the new no9 duties. Des Anstey for leading like a true captain. Luke Collings playing the full 80 minutes despite sustaining an injury.

Team lineup Richard Welsby, Chris Benn, George Ford, Dan Jeffries, Archie Gent, Dan Last, Des Anstey capt, Kai North, Callum Fairbairn, Luke Collings, Johnny Bartlett (MoM), Tom Steen, Ethan Sedgewick, Alfie Franks