On a perfect day for rugby the large crowd was entertained by a game which saw 10 tries, 4 of which provided a bonus point for the visitors which was the least they deserved for their efforts. Despite the Reds always being ahead they could never shake of the visitors completely as they always threatened to a comeback.

Newport kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner. A penalty allowed the Reds to get up to their own 10 metre line and from there they mounted a series of flowing attacks the ball moving quickly between players with fly-half Rhys Brownfied catching the eye with some long flat passing. The visitors conceded a penalty in the shadow of their own posts, the Reds opted for a scrum and a few phases later Captain Ben Fox was over for his first try of the day converted by Brownfield on 5 mins. The Reds again looked threatening on the restart but a silly tackle off the ball gifted Newport a penalty which they popped into touch by the famous corner and their maul did the rest to tie up the scores on 9 mins. Despite this setback the Reds continued to have the better of things and a penalty was put into the Tribute Lounge corner, the beefy Newport pack were able to repulse the maul and a series of pick-an-goes was ended as the Reds spun the ball wide, a beautiful long pass from Brownfield found Lewis Thomas free to go over in the corner. Brownfield narrowly missed the touchline conversion his only kicking blemish on the day. Redruth got back on the attack following a 50:22 kick from Charlie Levick but any score was prevented as fierce defence forced a holding on penalty to allow the visitors to clear. The visitors were were now to have the best of the next 15 mins or so, they mounted a series of attacks from scrums, lineouts and open play in the Redruth 22 but the home defence was resolute and held firm. To make matters worse for the men from Shropshire a penalty allowed Brownfield to find a good touch near the Newport line and whilst the first catch and drive was defended the Reds made no mistake with the second as Fox grabbed his second try, well converted by Bronfield to make it 19-7. There was just time for another Newport foray into the home 22 but again they came away pointless.
Half-Time: Redruth 19 - 7 Newport (Salop)

With the slope in their favour many expected the Reds to run away with the game in the second period but it did not quite work out this way as both sides ran in 3 tries. The first few minutes of the half were quite bizarre. Luke Barnes made a great impact off the bench by slicing through the home defence and his 30 yard run was only ended within touching distance of the line, but Newport nicked the ball at the breakdown and quickly moved the ball to the narrow side where the excellent winger Gamble broke out of defence, he made it up to half-way and kicked ahead, but then promptly lost his footing, Redruth relief turned to dismay as the visitors big second row Hubbart was storming up the field and got to the loose ball first, he in turn hacked on but just a little too strong as the ball went dead just out of reach of his big hands. The visitors missed a very kickable penalty on 47 mins and then the Reds launched a thrilling attack of many phases from deep in their own half. Unfortunately the attack was denied the result it deserved as Dean Bonds was held up over the line. The Reds kept up the pressure though and soon after got a converted try for Matt Pritchard courtesy of a catch and drive maul. The Reds seemed to be stretching away but a yellow card to Bonds for side entry into a maul on half-way was to change things. Sensing an opportunity Newport threw everything into the next 10 mins and came away with 12 points from a couple of tries and a conversion. The second of these tries came after a great break from second row Hubbart, this made it 26-19 to the Reds on 63 mins, game on. Reduth then seemed to put the game to bed with a two try burst of their own minutes later, captain Fox got his hat-trick try after a catch and drive in Hellfire Corner and then Tyler Gendall also touched down in the famous corner after Jarrod Hambly had pounced on a loose Newport lineout throw to set up the attack. Both were converted to put the Reds 40-19 up on 69 mins.
Newport though would not lie down, the Reds strayed offside from a box kick on halfway and before you could blink the visitors were off as a quick tap-an-go caught the Reds flatfooted and they ran in a converted bonus point try to get back to within 14 with 9 mins left on the clock. Redruth though were able to see out the remainder of time without any alarms to take the 5 points.

Next week the Reds travel to Dudley Kingswinford in the Midlands.
At the Recreation Ground the 2nd XV will be taking on Saltash in a 1st plays 2nd encounter with a 2.30pm kick-off, please try and support the young Reds.

The Tribute man-of-the-match chosen by Western Electrical was the Reds Captain Ben Fox

Redruth
Tries: Fox (3), Pritchard, Thomas, Gendall
Conv: Brownfield (5)

Newport (Salop)
Tries: Waqadau, O’Neill, Maxwell, Harley
Conv: Adams

Referee: James Milliner
Assistant Referees: Ian Pengelly & Andy Bickle