Richmond eye return of festive form (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Richmond eye return of festive form

10:25am Thursday 26th November 2009

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Richmond director of rugby Geoff Richards hopes a repeat of last year’s festive form can have the same affect on his side’s stop start campaign.

The Athletic Ground side enjoyed a run of form over Christmas and the new year last season that helped fire them to a fourth-placed finish in National Division Two South.

Richards’ men have lost six of their ten games so far this season and only five bonus points keep them from a place in the bottom four ahead of Saturday’s trip to Shelford.

A trial match last week - thanks to an enforced two week break from league action since a 32-21 defeat to Barnes - has given the coach food for thought and he insists things can and will get better.

“We’ve had a chance to look at a few other people and it has re-emphasised my faith in our strength in depth,” he said.

“Guys had the opportunity to put their hands up and say why not pick me and some really took that chance. It has given us something to think about.

“I don’t think we have really hit our straps yet this season. It is not a case of drawing a line under what has gone, but learning from that and moving on.

“We are always looking to improve and now it is a case of getting the best out of the resources available to us.”

Richmond have suffered their fair share of injuries this season, with 18-year-old on-loan Harlequins academy back rower Joe Trayfoot’s season-ending cruciate ligament injury adding to the list.

Scrum-half Kris Greene (ribs), winger Alastair Simmie (hamstring) and lock Colin O’Keefe (knee) remain long-term casualties, with returns expected in the new year at the earliest.

“It is fair to say we have had a phenomenal amount of injuries this year, and they have been to key players, “ he added.

“Joe had just got into the England U20 squad so he is bitterly disappointed, obviously, as we are.”

Richmond’s next three fixtures: Nov 28 Shelford (a), Dec 5 Lydney (h), 12 Barking (a).

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