The Boxing Day encounter this year saw both sides make big changes from the squads that battled things out in the rain only 6 days earlier. Camborne’s starting XV had 7 players that took to the field that day but the Redruth XV remarkably only contained 3 players from the earlier fixture. Despite this it was the Reds who proved to have the stronger squad as they ran out victors running in 6 tries in the process. The weather was a total contrast from the league match and the crowd of 2502 and the players enjoyed conditions perfect for rugby. When Camborne stretched their lead to 17 points early in the 2nd period things did not look good for the Reds but in a stirring comeback they ran in5 second half tries throwing the ball around with some panache. The power and pace of Clifford and James in the centre proved difficult to control and Mawgan Osborne is probably still smiling after his golden moment.

Camborne kicked off playing down the slope and after the initial period with neither side making any headway Camborne put a penalty into the Reds 22. The maul was held but the ball was swiftly spun out to the left for Max Jenkins to squeeze in at the corner for an unconverted try on 8 minutes. A good break out of defence showed a sample of things to come in the second period but a Harry Larkins did well to charge down a chip ahead that could have been dangerous. A Camborne interception on halfway threatened a try but Luke Young put in a great tackle to snuff out the danger. The Reds now got into the Town 22 with an attacking lineout, a further penalty followed that went to 5 metres but the throw was not straight. Camborne now had some pressure in the Reds half without really threatening the line, they put up a high kick and Dean Wills fielding stepped this way and that and came through a scrum of players to break clear into Town territory. He linked with Noah Clifford but the support was just too slow to arrive and Camborne won a holding on penalty. Camborne sensing the Reds were expecting the kick tapped the penalty and broke downfield with Jordan Nicholls making great ground into the Reds 22. Camborne went through the phases and after a number of charges at the line the ball was spun wide to the left and Pete Davidson was in at the corner for another unconverted try on 28 minutes. Redruth hit back almost immediately, Camborne ran the ball on the edge of their 22 but spilled the ball and the Reds were on the attack, only a high tackle stopping their progress. The Reds went to the corner, the maul was stopped illegally and another penalty was tapped. After some forward surges the ball went out and Wills twisted and turned to go over for a try he converted. 10-7 in favour of the home side on 31 minutes. Camborne were next to get on the front foot with a lineout 10 metres from the visitor’s line but the throw was not straight and the Reds were able to clear their 22. From a lineout on the Reds 10-metre Camborne went down the middle and won a penalty which went to the corner. The maul was unstoppable for a try by Ben Smith well converted by Rory O’Kane. With seconds left in the half Camborne dropped the kick-off giving the Reds a scrum 30 metres out. The Reds spun the ball wide putting Lewis Bostock into space and only a last-ditch tackle prevented the try and with that the half-time whistle was blown.
Half-Time: Camborne 17 – 7 Redruth

10 points was a decent lead but with the advantage of the slope in favour of the Reds it was anybody’s game. Camborne soon extended their lead in the 2nd 40 when after some to and fro play Nicholls stripped Redruth possession on halfway and Camborne stormed up field. After some good interplay former Redruth player Matt Blee powered almost to the line where Nicholls was on hand to finish what he had started. O’Kane converted well from wide out and the home side were 24-7 clear on 45 minutes and the Reds had a mountain to climb. From a scrum just outside their own 22 the Reds signalled how they were going to approach the remainder of the game by a launching an attack by the backs taking the play into the Camborne half. Unfortunately, from a long kick out of defence the Reds knocked on in their own 22 gifting Camborne a scrum, Town threatened the line but a penalty for holding on allowed the visitors to clear. A great clearance by Wills took play into Camborne territory and another penalty for a high tackle went to the corner. The maul was well set and walked the home side back over the line for a try by Jarrod Hambly well converted from wide out by Wills. 24-14 to Town on 57 minutes. From a scrum on halfway Clifford powered over the gain line, the ball was moved back to the right and Sam James took the ball to 5 metres out and Redruth hammered away at the line until a knock-on turned play over. Camborne cleared but did not make touch and the dancing feet of Nat Dart made good ground on the return, the ball was moved to the right and Clifford made a superb break almost getting to the line and only a penalty prevented the try. A quick tap penalty found James who powered over for a try converted by Wills to make it a 3-point game. The Reds were now looking to run from anywhere and from just outside their own 22 they went wide and a superb pass from Clifford put Jack Counter into space and only a last-ditch tackle by Alex Ducker prevented the try. The Reds recycled and took play almost to the line, a few pick and goes later Luke Young touched the ball down for a try converted by Wills. The Reds were ahead for the first time on 69 minutes by 24-28. There now followed the moment of the match, from the kick off second-row Mawgan Osborne claimed the ball and set off at pace downfield, a superb side step saw off the full back and he stormed over under the posts for a try that he will dine out on for many years to come. Wills converted and suddenly the Reds were 11 points clear going into the last 10 minutes. The Reds weren’t finished though and from a lineout on the home 22 they launched a multi-phase attack that eventually saw them go over for a try under the posts by Rowan Lawrence converted by Matt Bonds.
The match ended soon after and Redruth once again lifted the Rodda’s Milk Cup.

Man of the Match was Noah Clifford who wins the Tony Pill Cup.

Camborne
Tries: Jenkins, Davidson, Smith, Nicholls.
Conv: O'Kane (2)

Redruth
Tries: Wills, Hambly, James, Young, Osborne, Lawrence.
Conv: Wills (5), Bonds.