Redruth 26 v 21 Clifton

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Tribute Man-of-the-Match Sponsored by St.Austell Brewery was Jack Wickham.

Redruth saved up their best performance of the season for the visit of Clifton as they ran out deserved winners in yet another Reds/Clifton ding-dong thriller. The Reds ball retention was superb and in front of the Hauliers of Redruth and the many ex-players assembled for the reunion they scored two tries in each half to secure the bonus point win. Clifton will think that they had enough chances to make the result different but they had to give second best to the Reds on the day.

Clifton kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner with the stiff, mainly cross field breeze probably just favouring the home side. The Reds had the best of the initial skirmishes keeping Clifton in their own territory, some good passing got the Reds around the defence and although they were stopped just short Tommy Phillips was able to power over a few phases later for a converted try on 7 mins.
Clifton almost hit back quickly putting a penalty into Hellfire Corner. The visitor’s giant pack attempted to maul over the line but the Reds put up stiff resistance to hold up the maul. A scrum penalty then allowed the Reds to get up to half-way. Some good quick passing now down the blindside from a ruck put Dean Bonds away, he was tackled by the last man just short but was able to cleverly reach out over his head to make the try line, a superb touchline conversion by Rhys Brownfield put the Reds 14-0 up on 18 mins. Clifton soon hit back though and after a penalty was put into the Hellfire Corner their pack made no mistake second time around for a converted try. Clifton were now back in the game and had a period of pressure which the Reds defended superbly holding the opposition up over the line. Just as half-time approached Tommy Phillips was given a yellow card for a ruck offence, Clifton went for the corner and again mauled over the line for another converted try to tie things up at halftime.
Halftime: Redruth 14-14 Clifton

The Reds would be down to 14 for the first 8 mins of the 2nd period but made light of the handicap. The Reds recovered possession from the kick-off and pinned Clifton in their own22 showing great continuity with the ball in hand. A 5 metre line out chance was lost but a powerful scrum a few minutes later earned a penalty which again went to the corner. This time the Reds forwards were not to be denied and they powered over the line with centre Sam James getting the unconverted try on 48 mins. The lead was short lived though as the Reds made a mess of the restart gifting the visitors’ possession in the home 22. The Reds managed to clear but a fantastic 50:22 kick earned the visitors another 5 metre line out and another unstoppable maul saw Bertie-Cole Fontayne put the sides level. A superb conversion from Nathan Chamberlain put Clifton ahead for the first time on 52 mins. The Reds again won their restart and put in a series of attacks which seemed to have broken the visitors defence but the players were called back for a forward pass. Clifton got back on the attack and looked certain to go further ahead but the Reds dug in deep to defend their line and won a penalty to clear the danger. The Reds were to dominate the remainder of the match, a good break took play into Clifton territory and the Reds never let them escape. A sequence of penalties and 5 metre line out mauls that were all stopped illegally led to Clifton prop Cole-Fontayne seeing yellow. The Reds opted for a 5 metre scrum and put the visitors pack into retreat, the scrum went down just short of the line but Jack Wickham, who had an all action match, was able to make the extra yard to put the Reds back in front with a converted try. 26-21 to the Reds with only 9 mins remaining, could the home side hang on? Hang on with style they did and after displaying some great continuity rugby they came close to adding to their score but a penalty in the shadow of the posts gave Clifton relief. The remainder of the match was seen out safely and a great roar greeted the final whistle.

The Reds are on the road again next Saturday when they travel to the Midlands to take on Bournville on the 3G.

Redruth
Tries: Phillips, Bonds, James, Wickham
Conv: Brownfield (3)

Clifton
Tries: Cripps, Hewitt, Cole-Fontayne
Conv: Chamberlain (3)

Referee: Ben Wood
Assistant Referees: Ian Morgan & Peter Dixon