Redruth 18 v 45 Luctonians

With the half-time score at 13-19 after an even first 40 mins and with the advantage of playing towards Hellfire Corner in the 2nd period most in the ground would have been expecting a Redruth victory come final whistle. It was not to be as the visitors displayed the form that has kept them unbeaten this season and they ran out deserved victors. Redruth for their part will look to their failure to turn numerous 5 metre line-outs into points and will be asking questions about their defensive performance in the 2nd half.

Luctonians kicked off playing towards Hellfire corner and some initial pressure was comfortably defended by the Reds who were able to work their way up field to score a driving maul try by Tommy Philips well converted by Rhys Brownfield after 6 mins. Luctonians hit back quickly, Redruth conspired to drop the kick-off gifting the visitors field position. A certain try was spurned when the Lucs winger, Wheeler, dropped a cross field kick but he made amends moments later to go over for a try converted by Silver to make it 7-7 on 9 mins. Redruth made matters worse by putting the kick-off straight out but despite this they had the better of the next 10 mins or so and were able to add two Brownfield penalties. The highlight of this period was a superb break by Sam James which had helped set up good field position. On 24 mins winger Grimes squeezed in at the scoreboard corner and Silver superbly converted from the touchline to put the visitors ahead for the first time. Lucs then scored a great backs try as they spread the ball from a line-out on the Reds 10 metre for Grimes to go over for another converted try. Lucs had a couple of 5 metre lineouts but the Reds defended valiantly to keep things tight at the break.
Half-time: Redruth 13 – 19 Luctonians

Previous games this season have seen the Reds come on strong in the second 40 mins but this time it was not to be. Too many penalties were conceded by Redruth and Lucs made them pay. Only 2 mins into the second half Lucs went over for a converted try by Jones and then scored the try of the match. Redruth were pressing deep into the visitors 22 but from a scrum Lucs broke down the blind side and went the length of the field for a Grimes try well converted by Silver to make it 13 – 33 on 49 mins. Redruth hit back forcing a succession of 5 metre line-outs and eventually centre James joined in the driving maul to go over in Hellfire Corner, substitute Ethan Morgan narrowly missing the conversion from the touchline. This was as good as it got for the Reds and Lucs added another unconverted try through Watkins after a clever chip over the defence. Redruth now dominated the next 15 mins but failed to turn a succession of 5 metre lineouts into points with also a superb break by James coming to nothing due to lack of support. A 50:22 kick by Lucs gave them a foothold in Reds territory and then showed Redruth how to finish with a Robinson try almost on final whistle.

Next week Redruth make the relatively short trip to Bristol to take on Clifton.

Redruth
Tries: Phillips, James.
Conv: Brownfield
Pen: Brownfield (2)

Luctonians
Tries: Wheeler (2), Grimes (2), Jones, Watkins, Robinson.
Conv: Silver (5)

Referee: Lloyd Davies
Assistant Referees: Ian Morgan & Andy Bickle