The gulf between a Level 4 and a professional Level 2 side was apparent from the first few minutes. The Pirates speed and support play was nothing less than superb and they took full advantage of the perfect conditions to run in 10 tries. The Reds supporters will be pleased at the endeavour show by their side and it was perhaps harsh that this endeavour was rewarded with just the one try. The Pirates dominated the lineout stealing the Reds ball on numerous occasions making it difficult for the Reds to turn any field position they did achieve into points.

Playing up the slope the Reds had an early chance with a 5 metre lineout but the Pirates stole the ball and swept down the field in a flash. This attack was repulsed but a few minutes later from a scrum on the 22 a slick backs move saw Relton go over in Piggy Lane Corner for a try bettered from the touchline by Robson. Soon after the Pirates added another when some slick offloading put Suttor over in Hellfire Corner for an unconverted try. After a driving maul made good ground into the Reds 22 Robson cut through under the posts for a try he converted. On 21 minutes the Pirates added another converted try through their impressive No.8 Agbongbon. The ball had been a stranger to the Reds for the first 20 minutes but they now had some possession and used it well to drive down the middle with some clever inter-passing. The Pirates for the first time had to defend in their 22 but two Redruth lineouts in the 22 were stolen by the Pirates and the chance was lost. To add insult to injury the Pirates then swept downfield to score in Piggy Lane Corner, Robson again converting from the touchline. The Pirates added one more try before the break through Cambriani and the Reds had another spell in their opponents 22 before 40 minutes was up.
Half-time: Redruth 0 – 38 Cornish Pirates

The Pirates started the second period quickly and added a try through a 5 metre driving maul for Nelson. The Reds now dominated the next period of the match, a succession of 5 metre lineouts, and penalties close to the line saw a Pirates player being shown a yellow card. The Reds kept hammering away at the line and eventually a quick tap by Jamie Prisk broke the dam and he was over under the posts for a try converted by Dean Wills. The Reds were soon back on the attack but were turned over in the 22 when a maul was held up and then a penalty failed to make touch giving the Pirates a scrum on halfway. The Pirates hit back, a move that was seemingly well covered by the defence saw Yates make an outrageous sidestep that split the Reds open and he was over for a try converted by Sinclair. The Pirates were now back on the front foot and added two more tries with time running out. The Reds ended the match on top with some tap penalties in the visitors 22 but were unable to add to their score.

The Reds now have a week off to allow the bumps and bruises of the pre-season to wear off before the visit of Loughborough Students on September 6th

Redruth
Try: Prisk
Conv: Wills

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Relton (2), Suttor, Robson, Agbongbon, Hiscocks, Cambrani, Nelson, Yates (2).
Conv: Robson (4), Sinclair (3).