On a sunny day at Purley Walcountonians HC the Richmond HC 1st XI secured a fantastic league and cup double by beating the hosts and South Prem Div 1 side Purley 3-2.

The close scoreline did not reflect the dominance that Richmond showed against a side 2 leagues above them.  From the whistle Purley could not cope with the Richmond movement and speed of passing.  A number of chances were created in the first 15-20 minutes by Richmond's dutch forward Pieter Welten who was torturing the Purley defence with every attack.  The Purley keeper made some good early saves which frustrated Richmond.

However, the possession and territory was quickly rewarded with a flick awarded when a Puley player saved the ball on the line with his foot.  Ben Blake stepped up but on a dry sand pitch pulled the ball and just missed the post.   Purley took advantage of this reprieve and created some chances of their own which resulted in a number of corners that were well dealt with by the Richmond defence, in particular Neil Lucas.

This pressure spread the play and with a sweeping move Richmond went the whole length of the pitch and from a pass by Pieter Welten, Josh Smith put Richmond into a well deserved lead.  This caused Richmond to push on further with a view to growing the lead but this was not possible as a number of fine saves from the Purley keeper.  Before half time, John Boydell felt he could celebrate extending the lead but the umpire reacted a little too quickly and blew the whistle just as he was putting the ball in the net.

At half time Avtar Bhurji the stand in Richmond Coach asked for more of the same from Richmond with a desire to both win the cup and continue the unbeaten season.

The second half was scrappy affair where the lack of discipline of Richmond showed through as the umpires felt the need to yellow 2 Richmond players and 1 Purley player.  However, despite starting the slower in the second half it was Josh Smith again who popped to score a good individual goal to cap yet another brilliant display.

This should have calmed Richmond but instead Purley pressed more and more and won a short corner that was deflected by purley into the Goal. This actually pushed Richmond forward more and for at least the second time in the game Richmond felt that they should have had a penalty flick when the Keeper caught Josh Smith whilst going at goal.  However instead increasing the lead, Richmond were sent down to ten men and Purley really started to push for the equliser.

Further Richmond chances came and went as the Purley keeper continued to have a really strong game.  This led to a breakaway along the Richmond line and the umpire adjudged there was an offence by the Richmond keeper.  This decision led to a short corner which was broken up, but the bouce fell kindly to a Purley player who put the ball calmly into the Richmond goal.

Despite all the pressure Richmond found themselves drawing a game which they deserved to be leading easily.  In a brave move rather than sit back and wait for extra time Richmond pressed immediately forward and Richmond's best player on the day Josh smith found Pieter Welten on the top of the D who calmy put the ball past the oncoming Purley keeper.

The Richmond crowd and players knew this was enough and with the final whistle only 2 minutes away - Richmond hung on for a great victory against higher league opposition at their home pitch.

This brings an end to a great season and with the league trophy and cup trophy secure - a perfect bridge to next season.

Richmond : Rob Green, Maarten Fonteijn, Rob Woodhead, Ben Blake, Neil Lucas, Josh Smith, Martin Jones, Chris Burgess, Matt Armitage, Josh Allen-Back,  John Boydell, Pieter Welten, Adam Crocker, Thom Koch, Damien Paterson, Bejay Ranger.  Coach: Soma Singh Assistant Coach: Avtar Bhurji

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