This was a victory built on forward power; the visitors could not cope with the Redruth scrum and maul which earned the Reds a succession of penalties. After the monsoon like rain of 2026 the pitch was understandably heavy and did not favour the students flowing style of rugby at all. Despite this the visitors tried to run the ball, often spurning kicks to touch in favour of tap-an-goes from penalties and they always looked dangerous. The victory lifts the Reds up the table and leaves the students in the relegation play-off slot.

Redruth took the kick-off and were immediately on the attack and phases in the student’s half led to a penalty which went to the scoreboard corner. The Reds maul powered over with Tom Cowen-Dickie getting the unconverted try after only 2 minutes. The Uni now had a couple of opportunities deep into the Reds half but lost their own lineout and were powered off their scum ball for a penalty to allow the Reds to clear. Play now swung to the visitor’s half and another scrum penalty gave Dean Wills the opportunity to increase the Reds lead by 3 points. The Uni side now had a period of possession and played some good phase rugby, a clean break on halfway took play to the Reds line but some clever defending led the ball being held up over the line. Play stayed in the Reds half but with the Reds making a mess of the Uni lineout the Redruth line did not come under significant threat. On 28 mins Ed Pascoe received a yellow card for a high tackle, could the students take advantage? They certainly did and after a number of phases Findlay Wiseman went over by the posts for a try converted by Freddie Hirst. 8-7 to the Reds on 32 minutes. The students continued to have the better of play but rarely threatened the Reds line and the half ended without any further scores. Would the injuries to key players Cowan-Dickie and Wills harm the Reds chances in the second period?
Half-Time: Redruth 8 – 7 Exeter University

The second period began the same way as the first, and from a lineout on the 22 the Reds maul took play close to the line, a few pick-an-goes later and 200 game man Jess Tompsett powered over for a try converted by Joe Cummins to increase the lead on 47 minutes. After a period of play in the midfield a long Redruth clearance took play into the visitors 22. The Uni side opted to run out of defence and an ambitious kick pass 5 metres from their own line was picked off by Luke Johnson who ran in from 30 metres for an unconverted try in the Piggy Lane Corner. 20-7 to the Reds on 54 minutes. The Reds were now firmly on top and a great kick led to a lineout in Piggy Lane Corner. The Reds maul made no mistake with Jarrod Hambly getting the try well converted by Cummins from wide out. Soon after the Reds added to their lead when they again made a mess of the students scrum to earn a penalty which Cummins converted. 30-7 to the Reds on 65 minutes. To their credit the students never let their heads drop and from a lineout on the Reds 22 they camped in the Reds 22. After multiple phases they went over from close to the line for a Josh MacAndrew try converted by Hirst. The remaining couple of minutes were played in the student’s half and the match ended when the Reds opted to kick the ball out when only a few yards from their opponents try line.

The Redruth Tributeman-of-the-match was Jess ‘200 games’ Tompsett chosen by D.A.Giles.

Next Saturday the Reds travel to Hornets in Weston-Super-Mare to play on the ‘plastic’ whist the 2nd XV are at home to Barnstaple 2nds.

Redruth
Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Tompsett, Johnson, Hambly.
Conv: Cummins (2).
Pens: Wills, Cummins.
Yellow Card: Pascoe.

Exeter University
Tries: Wiseman, MacAndrew.
Conv: Hurst (2).

Referee: James Milliner.
Assistant Referees: Emerson Wood & Ian Pengelly.