James Cherry became the first Nottingham number eight to score a hat-trick of tries in 10 years as, despite holding a commanding half-time lead, the Archers were hanging on at the end to edge past Richmond 29–27.
Ultimately, it was a bonus point win on the day that prop Dan Richardson made his 50th appearance, and the hat-trick hero, Cherry, was delighted: “I am absolutely thrilled, after last week’s loss to Caldy, which was really disappointing. So to get five points in front of the crowd at The Bay, on a special night for boys like Dan, was just really great for us.”
Richmond were on the board first inside the opening five minutes from a Callum Grieve penalty in a central position. The Archers replied immediately, however, with David Williams recording his 99th Nottingham try when he crossed on the right. Gwyn Parks converted.
Moments later, Richmond got another penalty in an identical position to the first and once again went for the posts. Grieve, who was perfect from the tee all evening, brought his side within a point.
The pendulum then swung back the home side’s way as, playing with advantage, Parks put an audacious grubber into the corner that Cherry did well to pounce on with the dead-ball line looming. The conversion from the sideline was missed.
Nottingham built more pressure as the half wore on, despite being reduced to 14 when Osian Thomas was sent to the bin for an infringement in a maul.
It was with five minutes remaining in the first period that Craig Hammond’s men were able to turn that momentum into points. Visiting loosehead Chris Freeman knocked on intentionally and, as he was walking to the dugout for a 10-minute rest at the referee’s invitation, Parks slotted the penalty from in front of the sticks.
Nottingham were back in sight of the posts as the clock turned red. Instead of reverting to Parks’s boot again, the tap and go was worked to Cherry to plunder his second try of the evening and put the hosts into a seemingly commanding 22–6 lead at the interval.
However, the second half was played almost exclusively in Nottingham territory. The home side were giving up too many turnovers, and that allowed Richmond to build up a head of steam that culminated in George Nugent burrowing over for their first try on 49 minutes.
It was midway into the second period that Nottingham made their first, and really only, foray into the away side’s half. But it was a fruitful visit, as Cherry secured a bonus point for the Archers with his third try of the evening.
The number eight was full of praise for his teammates: “Three tries from a combined distance of three metres — that’s how we like them! It’s a product of the team working really hard.
“That first one was an amazing kick from Gwyn, then Jay Ecclesfield throwing me over the line, and the last one’s Jay again on a great tip. So all credit to those boys and all the boys for getting us to one metre from the line.”
Richmond were immediately back on the front foot, however, and replacement number eight Sam Pim notched their second try of the evening.
Nottingham substitute fly-half Tom Threlfall had the chance to calm the nerves that were starting to creep in around The Bay, but his penalty on 72 minutes slid wide left. Back came the visitors, and they moved within two points as a darting run by Paddy Case released Greg Kitson to dive over in the corner.
With time expired, Richmond kept the game alive, going through phase after phase camped in the Nottingham half, but the Archers kept their discipline and won a penalty that Threlfall made no mistake in finding touch with, much to the relief of the home faithful.