Rugby Union: The Richmond monsters scare off Newcastle

After this unrecognisable performance from Richmond, John Kingston popped into the Newcastle dressing-room to console Rob Andrew. "He was desperately down," Kingston said. "I told him that he could still win the league. Let's face it, he doesn't know what a hard time is."

Kingston and Andrew are close friends from their days at Cambridge University but it did not stop the former from delivering what could be a decisive blow in the Premiership. It was Newcastle's misfortune to catch Richmond on the rebound.

The previous week, Richmond were outplayed by Harlequins and everybody at the club was involved in the post-mortem. In particular, the criticism of an ex-international was exploited by Kingston to light a fire beneath the players.

"It was said that I was doing a shite job and was on my way out," the Richmond coach said. "I used some of that. I'm not a super-duper international coach but I have a very close rapport with the players. They will walk through walls for me."

In an opening onslaught, Richmond, fielding their best pack for the first time in a long time, scored two tries before Scott Quinnell was sent off in the 24th minute for kneeing Paul Van-Zandvliet in the head. Yesterday, Quinnell was suspended with immediate effect. The extent of the ban will be decided tomorrow after the referee's report has been received. Quinnell will also be fined.

Aside from the criticism of Kingston, there was another reason for the rekindling of Richmond: the apparent banishment of their Welshmen. Scott and his brother Craig are out of favour, as are John Davies and Barry Williams. Kingston points out that Kevin Bowring, the Wales coach, has not been to the Athletic ground once this season. "It's pathetic," he said.

Newcastle, even against a depleted pack, could not extinguish the hwyl of the London club and nor could their international locks get to grips with Craig Gillies in the line-out. Bowring's loss was Clive Woodward's gain. The England coach was at the match.

When Craig Quinnell battered his way over, it gave Richmond a 22-3 lead. During the interval there was more stoking of the home fires. "I felt it my duty," Craig said, "to put right Scott's wrong. If we'd lost, everybody would have blamed him."

The Richmond seven responded magnificently and behind them the former Wales half-backs, Andy Moore and Adrian Davies, were equally impressive. When Newcastle, feeling the effects of a close encounter with Sale in midweek, finally attacked they ran into an inspired defence in which Jason Wright was positively heroic.

Newcastle not only lost their 100 per cent league record but Va'aiga Tuigamala and Tony Underwood. Tuigamala left the ground on crutches and Underwood also suffered a knee injury.

"On our day we are unstoppable," Kingston said. "When my best forwards are fit there's no contest. They are monsters.

"I still believe Newcastle will win the league because they appear to be unbeatable at home. We have both come up from Division Two and the difference between that and the Premiership is huge. It took Saracens and Northampton a long time to come to terms with it and what Newcastle have done is fantastic."

Kingston, a Geordie, had a drink with his friends from the north and, despite giving them a right going-over, asked a favour. He wanted a ticket to watch Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

Richmond: Tries Wright, Moore, C Quinnell, Chapman; Conversions A Davies 2; Penalties A Davies 2. Newcastle: Tries Penalty try, Underwood; Conversions Andrew 2; Penalty Andrew.

Richmond: M Pini; S Brown, J Wright, E Va'a (M Deane, 35), D Chapman; A Davies, A Moore; D McFarland, B Williams, J Davies (D Crompton, 69), C Quinnell (A Codling, 74), C Gillies, B Clarke (capt), S Quinnell, R Hutton (R Martin, 64).

Newcastle: S Legg; J Naylor, V Tuigamala (M Shaw, 35), A Tait, T Underwood (J Wilkinson, 79); R Andrew, G Armstrong; N Popplewell, R Nesdale, P Van- Zandvliet, G Archer, D Weir, P Lam, D Ryan (capt), R Arnold (P Walton, 64).

Referee: E Morrison (Bristol).