When the scores stood at 19-all, a Luctonians player in the bin and the Reds deep in the visitors half it looked like the Reds might be able to kick on for victory. Sadly this turned out to the be the highwater mark in the game for the Reds and the victors ran in no less than three tries in the sin-bin period and another two before the end of the game against the shell shocked Reds. In this period Lucs certainly looked title contenders as they moved the ball with pace and power and led by a solid forward pack, an excellent half-back pairing, big skilful centres and most strikingly a No.6 Harriot-Davies who caused no end of problems with his powerful runs and off-loads. The Reds will be kicking themselves for not taking their chances when they came but the Lucs defence was as strong as their attack and making any ground was difficult.

The heavy overnight and early morning rain had given way to a pleasant afternoon with no more than a gentle breeze to bother the kickers. The pitch looked in good nick in stark contrast to the Colts pitch which was still a good place for ducks to hang out and caused the postponement of the 2nd XV match.
The Reds kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner and some good rugby almost brought a try. They were on an advantage and Dean Wills struck a superb penalty from the 10 metre line to put the Reds three points up. After some play in midfield Lucs went ahead; from a 5 metre lineout the maul was held but a few pick-an-goes later Whiteman was over for try bettered by impressive scrum-half Randall. The Reds had a chance with their own 5-metre lineout soon after but were turned over when on the visitors line. A scrum penalty allowed the Reds to get back into the 22 and pressure on the line led to a yellow card for Goodwin. Wills kicked the easy penalty to make it a one point game. The Reds were soon back on the attack and after multiple penalties in the 22 Whiteman was shown the yellow card to reduce the visitors to 13 men. The Reds went for the 5-metre lineout and this time made no mistake and Tyler Gendall was over for the try well converted by Wills from wide out. The Reds were 13-7 up on 35 minutes and looking good. Immediately Lucs hit back despite still having only 13 on the pitch, a missed tackle on half-way saw then break down the left wing, a pass inside to Randall and he sprinted to the line for a try he converted to give the visitors a one point lead. The Reds looked to retake the lead and good play led to a 5-metre lineout but, not for the first or last time, the lineout misfunctioned and the chance was lost. Running the ball on halfway Reds fly-half Ethan Morgan chipped over the top and was able to show good football skills and take play to the 5 metre line. Lucs infringed and Wills put over the penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Halftime: Redruth 16 - 14 Luctonians.

With the slope in the visitors favour would the Reds rue their missed chances in the first 40? The Reds began brightly and a break by Morgan taken on by Sam James got the Reds to the visitors line but a penalty for holding on allowed Lucs to clear. Lucs now spent some time in the Reds 22 but the Reds defence was just able to keep them out. A kick into the visitors 22 put some pressure on and the clearance kick was charged down by Wills, the bounce of the ball unfortunately allowed the defence to reform but the pressure was maintained and Wills popped over his 4th penalty of the day on 51 minutes. As demonstration of what was to follow Lucs now played some great rugby to storm downfield and a lovely wide pass put Bennett in at Piggy Lane corner for an unconverted try to ties things up at 19-all. Soon after Wills was taken out in the air and try scorer Bennett was fortunate to only receive a yellow-card for his sins. As previously mentioned the rest of the game belonged to the visitors as they displayed the attacking play that they threatened earlier in the match. Lucs played fault free rugby for the remainder of the match and whist it did not make pleasant viewing for the home faithful it was impossible not to admire the quality of their play. In the final 24 minutes of the match Lucs ran in 5 tries through White, Mear, Harriot-Davies, Grimes & Montgomery.

Redruth RFC Tribute man-of-the-match chose by Cornish Metals was Sam James.

The Reds now have a week off to lick their wounds and hopefully for the ever growing injury list to heal. Next time out they make the long trip to the beautiful city of Chester. If you want to catch some rugby next Saturday please go down to Penryn to cheer on the 2nd XV.

Redruth
Try: Gendall.
Conv: Wills.
Pens: Wills (5).

Luctonians
Tries: Whiteman, Randall, Bennett, White, Mear, Harriot-Davies, Grimes, Montgomery.
Cons: Randall (5), Goodall (2).
Yellow Cards: Goodwin, Whiteman, Bennett.

Referee: Tom Evans-Jones.
Assistant Referees: Rob Lowe & Andy Bickle.