Redruth 28 v 26 Bournville

‘It was a damn close run thing,” is how the Duke of Wellington is said to have described the Battle of Waterloo and he might well have said the same thing about a game that kept the Redruth faithful on tenterhooks until the final whistle. Bournville arrived at the Recreation ground with a solid pack and a mobile set of forwards and they might be forgiven for feeling that they were unlucky to be returning to Birmingham with just two points. Redruth, on the other hand, although relieved to have clung on to the narrowest of margins, might well be regretting the chances that were missed.

It was the Reds who started the strongest, playing out of Hellfire Corner, and fine pressure from the forwards won two penalties close to the Bournville line with Jordan Gott going over after seven minutes for the first try of the game which he converted. This obviously fired up Bournville who charged into the Redruth 22 and, after a great deal of pressure crossed the line, although the referee judged the ball to have been held up. The visitors made no mistake on the 19th minute pushing over the line for a try by their number 8 JonJo Fanning, which was converted by Jacob Fewtrell.

Redruth suffered a blow three minutes later when Jack Simmons was shown a yellow card for an infringement. Within two minutes Bournville took advantage and winger Nathan Decalmer found a gap in the Redruth defence to score Bournville’s second try, converted by Jacob Fewtrell, to put the visitors ahead 7-14

Then it was Bournville’s turn to incur the attentions of the referee when, following discussions with his lineman, he judged Bournville flanker Chris Idehen responsible for a flurry of handbags and he was dispatched to the bin. This time it was Redruth who took advantage and Gott went over for his second which he also converted. 14 all. Two minutes from half-time saw Bournville pile over the Redruth line with second row Nick Murphy coming up with the ball. The try was not converted. With the referee playing five minutes of extra time Bournville conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Gott made no mistake.

Half time: Redruth 20 Bournville 19

Four minutes into the second half Bournville had yet another player, lock Nicholas Murphy, shown a yellow card and, three minutes later, Charlie Levick scored a try which was not converted. 25-19. It was 12 minutes before another score but it was Bournville that made it, a bonus point try by Decalmer after sustained pressure on the Redruth line was converted by replacement Ben Pitt. 25-26.

It was that man Jordan Gott who had the final word with a drop goal from a few yards in front of the posts to make it 28-26. However, there was much debate on the sidelines that, with Redruth holding a penalty advantage, it might have been better to go for a bonus point try.

Bournville battled away for the remainder of the game, and there was one heart-stopping moment for the Redruth crowd when they were awarded a kickable penalty five minutes from time. To the relief of the home supporters, it missed. There was a second yellow card for Bournville’s flanker Chris Idehen three minutes from time. Redruth spent the dying seconds of the game camped firmly on the Bournville line but were not able to find a way through for a vital try bonus point.

Redruth will be grateful for the win but it could so easily have gone the other way. The young side is still coming together as a unit and there is still far too much tendency to give away penalties in their own 22. But, a win is a win, and it will put the side in good heart for the long trip to Chester next week.

Final score: Redruth 28 Bournville 26

Redruth
Tries: Gott (2), Levick.
Conv: Gott (2)
Pen: Gott (2)
Drop Goal: Gott

Bournville
Tries: Fanning, Meakin, Decalmer (2).
Conv: Fewtrell (3).

Referee: James Dowds
Assistant Referees: Rob Lowe & Andy Bickle.