Hartpury travel to Richmond tomorrow, buoyed by a solid home performance in wet conditions that produced a win over Coventry. They will be looking for their first away points of the season.

Hartpury have only made one away trip so far in this campaign, surrendering a handy 17-6 half-time lead to eventually leave Doncaster without even a bonus point for their efforts.

However, with two wins under their belts so far from their three home games – the defeat was to current unbeaten league leaders Cornish Pirates – it has been a steady start to the season by the Red and Blacks.

Tomorrow’s opponents have also played the Pirates as one of their early season fixtures and, by many accounts, were unfortunate to come away from the Mennaye with nothing, after pushing the leaders hard – 29-19 the final score in favour of the Cornishmen.

Richmond’s sole victory, so far, came in their opening day fixture against co-residents, London Scottish, with defeats to Yorkshire Carnegie and the Knights comprising the rest of their four outings to date.

Irrespective of previous results, there is every likelihood that Saturday’s game will be a close one based on the recent history between these teams, who have met a number of times since both were in National League Two in the 2011/12 season.

Richmond took the honours home and away last term, on both occasions requiring late scores in order to do so. The game at the Athletic Ground, in particular, was a clear example of Hartpury’s inability to close out results, when two Richmond tries in the final three minutes quickly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Director of rugby John Barnes knows exactly what to expect tomorrow.

“Richmond, as always, will be a tough challenge,” he said. “Beating us with the last play in both games last year was hard to stomach.

“It typifies what they are all about, though – a team that works hard for each other for the full 80 minutes. They’re never easily beaten.”

Barnes was generally happy with his own team’s most recent outing, however.

“It was very pleasing to get the win against Coventry,” he said.

“We controlled the game well and took our opportunities in the first quarter, when they were down to 14. It was hugely disappointing to concede at the end of the first half from a mistake – to have our lead halved, right on the whistle, was a big blow in those conditions.

“Credit to the team, we started the second half well, for once, and were able to defend our lead, despite some shaky moments.

“We must still look to cut out the simple errors that are allowing teams back into games against us.”

Hartpury are not expecting too many changes from last week’s line-up, although there is doubt over skipper Simon Linsell, who took a knock to the shoulder last Saturday.