By Tom Little.
October 15 2012

This Saturday 20th October, at the Butts Park Arena  kick off 3pm, sees two former  traditional rivals  face each other for the first time since 1997as Coventry Rugby entertain Richmond. Founded in 1861 Richmond played the first recorded club fixture against Blackheath in 1864, and were part of the original 8 founder members of the RFU in 1871. 

They certainly met Coventry Rugby pre-war as fixtures were resumed in 1946. The first league meeting between the teams occurred in season 1988/89, since then 10 league meetings have resulted with Coventry Rugby leading 5-4 with 1 game drawn.

Promoted to Division 2 in 1996/7 well documented financial problems following professionalism led to administration in 1999. Forced by the RFU to be relegated by 8 divisions down to Herts/Middlesex 1 Richmond, under longstanding Chairman and Financial Director Peter Moore, have come out of administration in 2002 which has allowed them to remain at their home the Richmond Athletic Ground since  1889. They have also steadily moved back up through the leagues up to the current level 3 after being runners up last season in National League 2 South, and winning the play off 20-13 over Caldy.

Under Head Coach,  former Oxford University Director of Rugby Steve Hill, Richmond have made a steady start to National League 1, with 3 wins, 2 defeats and 2 draws, and are just 2 places and 1 point behind Coventry Rugby. Wins at home over Wharfedale,  Blaydon and last week Cambridge, have been interspersed with a defeats  at Old Albanians and Sedgley Park, but excellent  draws at Cinderford and home to leaders Ealing, who needed 3 late tries to draw.

A fairly settled side Richmond have kept a large number of last season’s squad, assisted by new recruits No 9 James Gibbs from Esher, Toby Quarendon centre from Leeds, as well as Harlequins loan player no 10/15 and goal kicker Louis Grimoldy, with  J P Attlee has come in from Sale,

Other key players include fullback and goal kicker Tom Platt, back row partners No 8 Harrison Edwards and David O’Brien. Wingers to watch include James Greenwood and Tom Chesters, whilst the pack has experienced and try scoring lock Chris Davies.

A good all round side Richmond will prove a stern test for Coventry Rugby looking for their third consecutive victory, which could allow them to break into the top 6 of the league for the first time this season. Not only is a record National league 1 crowd for this season expected but also a record one for the Butts Park Arena this season.

Kick off at the BPA is as usual 3pm for Saturday 20^th October.  A full Coventry Rugby side will be published as soon as available.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

15^th October 2012.

Match preview Coventry Rugby v Richmond.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 15/10/2012 17:22

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
15/10/2012 17:22

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bigm/ mark harrison.
16/10/2012 11:07

memories come flooding back of last away encounter at richmond with a fire engine parked next to main temporary stand..very bizarre

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Geoff Kennedy
16/10/2012 13:24

Along with their co tenants - London Scottish, Richmond have come a long way since their enforced period in the lower leagues. Good planning, determination and sponsorship have helped both great clubs get back to the higher tiers of rugby.
Welcome back old friends (except for the 80 minutes of course)

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bigm/ mark harrison.
16/10/2012 15:29

totally agree they both have done it the hard way to get back up the leagues. oh those heady days of 5,0000/6,000/7,000 watching richmond ,newcastle, the third nail against notts.Now 850/900.

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zinzanh
16/10/2012 20:12

I can only agree that it is a good thing to see the good old clubs getting back to where they belong. We as a club should think ourselves lucky not to have been that far down.And therefore we can give our full support to all that have kept us in a position, that can send us forward.

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Kimbo
17/10/2012 11:22

Wise words Tom.

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eric richardson
17/10/2012 12:35

The last game we played against Richmond the sore was 16-16 - this was NOT all my own work in finding out this fact - BUT it's true.

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