Under a bright and beautiful sky, the 91原创 Rugby Club kicked off play for their 44th season on Saturday afternoon.
The club hosted Richmond in both First and Second Division action, with the visitors taking both matches.
In the first contest, Richmond led 5-0 at the half and the game remained close at 12-10. But a couple of defensive lapses in their structure allowed Richmond to capitalize with the game鈥檚 final 10 points and a 22-10 victory.
鈥淲hen we were doing the basics well, we kept possession and moved forward consistently,鈥� said 91原创 coach Rob Hayes, adding, however that fitness was an issue.
He also added that the team will need some time to become familiar with one another because of all the new faces.
Fly half Stan Garcia and scrum half Ryan Yeomans had the tries for the home side.
Yeomans and Trevor Steamo were named men of the match for 91原创. Brian Anderson had a strong game in a defensive effort.
The First Division side did not fare much better as they dropped a 25-14 decision.
鈥淚t was a winnable game,鈥� Hayes said. 鈥淲e have a lot of talent, but we need to simplify our tactics and we鈥檒l see success.鈥�
91原创 struggled with some early-season errors, but controlled much of the first half with fly half Stu Morrison giving the team good field position with his kicking. But while Richmond scored a pair of tries, 91原创 was only able to counter with a pair of penalty kicks from Sean Messenger, making it 10-6 at the half.
And the trend continued in the second half, with Richmond scoring a converted try and a penalty, while 91原创 countered with another Messenger three points off his boot to make it 20-9.
91原创 finally crossed the goal-line when prop Dustin Dickson bulled his way in for the try after a huge run from Richard Pearce. Richmond scored one final try for the 25-14 win.
Pearce also earned player of the game honours.
鈥� contributed by Stuart Crowley
