Richmond head coach Steve Hill admitted Saturday’s 19-19 draw with Ampthill was their toughest match of the season so far.

Ross Grimstone, Jack Allcock and Mateo Zambruno bagged the tries, and Chris Reakes kicked two conversions, to keep Richmond 10 points clear at the top of National Division One.

Hill said: “That was our toughest match of the season. It seems each opponent is looking to knock off the top team, and Ampthill raised their game hugely. “We had to hang on at the end to secure the draw and I was extremely pleased with the determination we showed in defence in the final 10 minutes of the game when lesser teams would have crumbled.”

He added: “In the first half we played some terrific rugby. Unfortunately in the second half the sin-binning of our prop and injuries in the backline allowed the momentum to get away from us.

“We will regroup and focus on the performance we need to produce in two weeks away at Wharfedale.”