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Tribute Man-of-the-Match, Ed Pascoe, Sponsor: St.Austell Brewery https://staustellbrewery.co.uk/

Hornets were denied their first victory at the Recreation ground when the Reds, who had been battering their line for seemingly ages and had forced the visitors to concede at least eight penalties in their own 22, finally got over the line to the relief and delight of the home support. The clock showed that the 2nd half finished some 57 mins after it started when Harvey Beckerleg kicked the conversion to tie the match in another unforgettable thriller at the Recreation Ground. Hornets with some justification will probably think they deserved the win but the never say die attitude of the Redruth team had the final word.

The pitch was looking in remarkably good condition despite the heavy rain that had fallen in the week and was to play well throughout the match. If you had been at the ground in the morning you will have seen DoR Nigel Hambly and Simon Johnson hard at work 'forking' in the damp patches.
Redruth suffered a blow before the match when Joe Tanswell was injured in the warm up and Josh Pengilly stepped up from the colts to make his senior debut. Josh has now played for every team at the club from U7 all through the age groups to the 1st team, missing out the 2nd team on the way!

Redruth kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner with the benefit of a strong breeze on their backs. The home side were immediately on the front foot after the visitors made a hash of a line out in their 22. The Reds were all over the Hornets line and after a penalty was put into the famous corner they pummelled the line again, the ball was moved to the backs and Sam James cut a great line between two defenders to go over on 3 mins for a converted try. The Reds were soon on the attack again but could not turn the pressure into points. Hornets were looking a good side though and were putting together some good plays. From a line-out on the Reds 10 yard line they launched a multi-phase attack that eventually ended with Chris Francis going over for a try which went unconverted. The play was very even with nether side able to make the telling break and both defences were strong. A clever trip over the top almost put Dean Bonds in but the bounce of the ball was unkind. A few minutes later the Reds extended their lead when Nat Dart put over a penalty from 30 metres after a penalty for a high tackle, one of many on the day for both sides who consistently fell foul of the new tackle rules.
Half-Time: Redruth 10 - 5 Hornets

Hornets had the better of the early stages of the 2nd period and it was no surprise when after a maul in Piggy Lane Corner they went over for an unconverted try to tie the game. The visitors got straight back on the front foot and kept the Reds pinned in their own territory, after three penalties were kicked into Hellfire Corner the Reds transgressed further and Sam Stevens got a team yellow card. Hornets pressed forward again and despite excellent Reds defence they eventually went over through Connor Vickery for a converted try to put them 17-10 up on 60 mins. Most in the ground would have expected Hornets to come away victors at this stage and they put the Reds under further pressure but the remainder of the sin-bin period was negotiated without further scoring. Then cam a crucial moment, Hornets were attacking down the right side and had a clear over lap, a long looping pass was thrown and Matt Bowden leaping like a Salmon leap to intercept the ball, but before his feet hit the ground he was clattered high by a Hornets player, penalty to Redruth. Time was running out but crucially the Reds now had field position and the remainder of the match would be played out deep in Hornets territory. The visitors were resolute in defence but were also conceding penalty after penalty. The Reds tried everything, line out mauls, multiple pick and goes, 5 metre scrums and tap penalties all on the Hornets line. Finally after the eighth penalty a Hornets player was shown the yellow card. From the resulting scrum the Reds again battered the Hornets line until Tommy Phillips, with little help from his friends, drove over just to the side of the posts. Harvey Beckerleg did the rest and the match was drawn.

Redruth
Tries: James, Phillips
Conv: Dart, Beckerleg.
Pen: Dart

Hornets
Tries: Ward, Francis, Vickery
Conv: Carter

Referee: Nathan Howarth
Assistant Referees: Rob Lowe & Grant Mossford.

No 1st XV match next week but catch the Reds 2nd XV as they take on St.Just at 2.30pm.