The curtain came down on the season for the 1st XV with another thrilling game against Hornets. As ever the last game of the season was a great event with the mini/junior halftime parade and the post match drinks in Hellfire Corner. Hornets added tremendously to the day with their thrilling backs throwing the ball around with great skill and their boisterous supporters adding to the great atmosphere. The early morning rain had given way to calm and dry conditions perfect for rugby. In a 9 try match it was the power of the Redruth pack that eventfully prevailed allowing the hosts to end the season on a wining note.

The Reds got proceedings underway playing towards the scoreboard end. An immediate knock-on by Hornets gave them possession and pressure brought a penalty which went to the corner. One catch and drive later the Reds were over for a Tom Cowan-Dickie try, well converted by Dean Wills from wide out. Any foolish thoughts of a walkover were soon dispelled as the Hornets piled on the pressure zipping the ball around with great speed and skill. The first wave of attacks was defended and a scrum penalty allowed the Reds to clear but the kick did not make touch and back came Hornets. After more sustained pressure they earned a 5 metre lineout and after a few charges Tom Read reached out for the try and Charlie Carter made no mistake with the conversion to tie the scores on 12 minutes. Hornets continued in the same vein challenging the Reds out wide with their speedy back three causing many problems for the Reds and a couple of minutes later prop Read got his second try to cries of ‘Reado’ from the visiting supporters. Carter made no mistake with the easy conversion. The Reds looked to hit back quickly and phases in the visitors 22 brought a 5 metre line-out but this time the Reds were thwarted and a holding on penalty allowed Hornets to clear. A 5 metre lineout for Hornets led to a scrum in the 22 where Hornets conceded a penalty and the Reds could clear up field. The scrum would be an area where the Reds would dominate throughout causing the visitors no end of problems. Back came the Reds but in a carbon copy of their last attack a holding on penalty within touching distance of the line prevented a score. At a scrum on half-way the Reds knocked on at the back of the scrum and Hornets pounced to storm downfield, the ball was then swiftly moved to the left and Carter cut a great line to go over for a superb try. Carter made no mistake with the conversion and Hornets were 14 points clear with less than 10 minutes to halftime. Crucially the Reds had much the better of the remainder of the half keeping Hornets in their own half. After a series of charges at the visitor’s line they were awarded a penalty which Jack King took quickly to dive over the line. The Dean Wills conversion brought the half-time whistle and the Reds went in only 7 points down.
At half time the crowd warmly applauded the mini/junior section as they paraded around the Recreation Ground.
Redruth 14 – 21 Hornets

Who would prevail in the second period, the speedy Hornets backs or the increasingly powerful Redruth pack? Redruth came out fired up, a penalty found Hellfire Corner and the Reds pack mauled over for another Cowan-Dickie try. Once again Wills converted superbly from wide out to tie the scores. The kicking of Wills became a feature in the second period; time and time again long touch finders drove the visitors back into their 22. Despite the pressure scores would not come with the strong Hornets defence holding firm. Twice the Reds were held up over the line as the Reds continued to be frustrated. Suddenly the Reds domination was broken as Hornets intercepted deep in their own half and charged downfield and it took a desperate Luke Johnson tap tackle to stop a try being scored. The Reds were soon back in Hornets territory and with the scrum now totally dominant they broke into the 22. A penalty went to Piggy Lane Corner and the pack mauled over for a Matt Pritchard try which went unconverted on 63 minutes. Almost immediately Hornets got back on level terms in what was almost their first attack of the half they fashioned on overlap on the left and powerful flanker Corey Baker scored the unconverted try. All level with 13 minutes left to play. Redruth went back ahead very quickly when pressure brought a penalty in front of the post converted by Nat Dart. Yet another scrum penalty allowed the Reds to get deep into the Hornets half and they never let them out. Another scrum penalty on the 22 led to a 5 metre lineout, another penalty and then a scrum. After a series of phases Jamie Prisk barged over the line and the referee blew for full time after the successful Wills conversion.

Tribute Redruth man-of-the-match chosen by Shaun Conway-Baker of SCB Groundworks was Tom Cowan Dickie.

After the match both teams congregated in Hellfire Corner for the traditional drinks with supporters.

Redruth
Tries: Cowan-Dickie (2), King, Pritchard, Prisk.
Conv: Wills (4)
Pen: Dart.

Hornets
Tries: Read (2), Carter, Baker.
Conv: Carter 3).

Referee: Lloyd Davies.
Assistant Referees: Ian Pengilly & Will Williams.