For the second time this season at home the Reds lost out in the last play of the game. A scrum penalty was awarded on the 10-metre line a little to the left of centre and Tom Putt showed considerable skill and nerve to put kick between the posts and break Redruth hearts. The Reds will probably feel, with some justification, that they deserved to win this match but the scoreboard is the only opinion that counts. In the end the teams were only separated by the width of a goalpost on one of the Reds conversion attempts.

After the heavy rain, since seemingly forever, the match actually took place in the dry coupled with a strong cross-field wind. The pitch was heavy but in remarkably good condition which is more than could be said about the top pitch which was totally unplayable and caused the 2nd XV’s match with Truro to be postponed yet again.

Redruth kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner and were immediately on the front foot. The scrum was looking strong and a source of early penalties. From a line out some 20 metres out Sam James came onto a line-out peel move at pace and got to within 5 metres. Multiple pick-an-goes later the Reds were held up over the line. From the goal line drop out the Reds ran the ball back, after a number of phases Noah Clifford made a break and a slick off-load to Nat Dart saw the full-back race over in Piggy Lane Corner for an unconverted try. The Reds almost added another soon after. From a scum on halfway the Reds broke through and what looked like a scoring pass was stopped by a Taunton hand, crucially the ball was not adjudged to have not gone forward and Taunton escaped. A period of midfield play followed and then the Reds put a penalty onto the 22. They mauled towards the line and Taunton conceded another penalty. This went to 5 metres and Tom Cowan-Dickie came up with the ball after the Reds maul had powered over, the touchline conversion from Joe Cummins cannoned back off the post. How crucial this would prove to be. Taunton spent some time now around the Reds 22 but good defence kept them at bay. The Reds despite losing big second row Morgan Osborne to injury were still looking good in the scrums and a penalty allowed them to clear. Another Redruth attack deep in Taunton territory was looking threatening when Freddy Elliott suddenly intercepted and raced down field for a try superbly converted from wide out by Putt. 10-7 to the Reds on 26 minutes didn’t seem a fair reflection of the game so far. Taunton got on the attack again but the Reds defended well to prevent any score. Some wayward lineouts in Taunton territory prevented Redruth from pressing the visitors line for some time. Eventually a lineout stuck and another peel move saw James power to within touching distance of the line. Taunton infringed and were on a Yellow Card warning. The Reds made no mistake with the 5-metre line out with Cowan-Dickie again getting the unconverted try in Piggy Lane Corner. This was to be the last play of the half.
Half-time: Redruth 15 – 7 Taunton

Taunton started the second period in determined mood and had the better of the early exchanges without really pressing the Reds line. A long Taunton kick ahead was dropped by the Reds on edge of their 22. From the scrum Taunton moved the ball well and sliced the Reds apart for an unconverted try in Hellfire Corner for Reece Malone to cut the lead to 3 points. Redruth soon got into the visitors 22 with a lineout some 8 metres from the line, Taunton got hands to the ball but knocked on. At the scrum the Reds were edging forward but the penalty went to Taunton. Taunton now went ahead for the first time when some good rugby ended with an unconverted try in Piggy Lane Corner for Dan Martin. Taunton were now 2 points up on 59 minutes and things weren’t looking good for the Reds. The Reds now brought on John Stevens, which not only allowed him to join brother Sam in the back row but increased the Reds farming contingent at the same time. Men truly outstanding in their field! Almost immediately though Taunton substitute Ben Oliphant-Thompson was shown a yellow card for some foul play. The Reds immediately pressed Taunton back with scrums and lineouts in the visitors 22 but Taunton defended well despite their numerical disadvantage. A remarkable 50:22 kick by Taunton from the edge of their own 22 got them on the front foot. They had a couple of lineouts near the Reds line but a combination of good defence and a crucial lineout steal by the Reds kept the visitors from extending their lead. Play now swung back to the Taunton half and after a number of phases big Reds second row Luke Hattam broke the line only to be pulled down inches short. Taunton killed the ball and Malone was shown a Yellow Card. Cummins popped over the penalty and the Reds were ahead 18-17 with only 8 minutes left. The Yellow Card and 3 points were good for the Reds but they would have preferred the 7 points that the killing of the ball prevented. The Reds looked to see out time and were keeping play deep in the visitor’s half and 22 but Taunton defended well to prevent the Reds increasing their lead. A penalty for holding on allowed Taunton to clear to the Reds 10 metre line. The Reds nicked the lineout but were adjudged to have knocked on. At the scrum the Reds were inching the visitors pack backwards but when the scrum hit the floor it was the Reds who were penalised. As mentioned previously Putt made no mistake to snatch victory away from home hands.

Next Saturday the Reds travel to North Devon to take no Barnstaple who were the other side to win at the Recreation Ground in the last play of the game earlier in the season. The 2nd XV will surely be able to get onto the pitch next Saturday as they host Newton Abbott.

The Redruth RFC Tribute man-of-the-match chosen by Jewson was hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie.

Redruth
Tries: Dart, Cowan-Dickie (2).
Pen: Cummins.

Taunton
Tries: Elliott, Malone, Martin.
Conv: Putt.
Pen: Putt.

Referee: Lloyd Davies.
Assistant Referees: Rob Lowe & Ian Pengelly.