Dings nearly threw away a game they well deserved to win with a combination of silly infringements and dubious refereeing decisions that saw them concede three yellow cards that kept the home side in the match.

Already missing three first-choice backs, Dings lost another after just two minutes, losing Christian Gervais.

Playing into a strong wind Dings started well with the pack in control spending the first 10 minutes in the Richmond half but a rash of penalties saw them driven back to their own line and fall behind to a penalty from full back Matt Hart on 12 minutes.

Dings looked the more likely to score with full back Orlando Stott producing some dazzling runs from deep. Tom Lukjaniec levelled the scores at 3-3 three minutes before half time before the final play of the half saw Dings second yellow card, this time for lock Dave Bufton.

Dings took the lead on 45 minutes with Lukjaniec's second penalty but Hart levelled for the home side two minutes later.

The second half developed into a forwards battle with Dings just having the edge despite conceding their third yellow card on 60 minutes when flanker Pierre Panizzutti was penalised for what looked look a heavy but fair tackle. Dings took the lead whist reduced to 14 men with Lukjaniec's third penalty.

With their best five minutes of the match Richmond took the lead on 70 minutes after a sustained spell of pressure on the Dings' line produced a try for Guillaume Scheuller converted by Hart for a 13-9 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the match.

However Dings were not to be denied and another good run from Stott took play deep into the Richmond half and a quick ball saw centre Alex Dancer feed Bufton who put hooker Dave Wheeler over in the right corner, Lukjaniec landed the touchline conversion to seal a three point win for Dings.