For a while it looked like this might be a ‘tale of two interceptions’ but in the end the Reds did more than ‘pip’ their opponents in what was probably their best performance of the season. In an all-round display the Reds forwards provided good 1st phase possession, made a mess of the visitor’s lineout and drove well in the loose. For their part the backs moved the ball well, consistently challenging the visitor’s defence. If it weren’t for the two interception scores when the Reds were on the attack and a couple of held-ups over the line this would have been a much more convincing win for the Reds.

Cinderford kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner on a calm and predominately dry day. They were immediately on the offensive with an attacking line-out from which Luke Barnes received a yellow-card. The Reds though defended the next 5 metre lineout and were able to clear their lines and get on the attack themselves. Pressing in the opponents 22 the Reds tried a crosskick but unfortunately with the try-line begging the ball was spilled. Running back a Cinderford clearance the Reds played some great rugby until, when just 5 metres out, a speculative off-load was picked off by Brendan Llewelyn who sprinted the length of the field for a converted try on 12 minutes. Cinderford dropped the restart and the Reds were back on the front foot. Consistent pressure in the visitors 22 ended with Tom Cowan-Dickie powering over from close in for a try converted by Joe Cummins to tie the scores on 19 minutes. Almost immediately the Reds were back down to 14 players when Jack Counter was yellow-carded competing for the ball in the air. But the Reds defied their numerical disadvantage with a great kick return that took play into the 22, a penalty went to 5 metre and the pack rolled over the line. Chris Rovery was the try scorer and Cummins slotted the conversion to put the Reds ahead on 24 minutes. The Reds were playing some great stuff with forwards and backs combining to cut great holes in the Cinderford defence and soon went further ahead with a Rovery try in the Tribute Lounge Corner. Cummins banging over a great conversion from the touchline. When after further Reds pressure Morgan Miles-Davies was yellow-carded on 35 minutes it seemed plain sailing for the home side. The Reds were all again over the visitor’s line and seemed certain to score but were held-up over the line. Confidence high they ran back the drop-out restart and were looking very dangerous when Josh Horton intercepted and ran some 50 metres for a converted try on the stroke of halftime. Just when the Reds were looking to go 21 points clear they were suddenly only 7 points up at the break.
Half-Time: Redruth 21-14 Cinderford.

Any thoughts that the setback just before the break would pray on the Reds minds were soon put to bed. They immediately took play into the visitor’s territory but a combination of determined defence and a second held-up over the line prevented a score. From a scrum on the visitors 10 metre line the Reds moved the ball and good decoy running allowed Cummins to break the line, a pass back inside to Jack Simmons saw the centre go over in Hellfire Corner for an unconverted try. 5 minutes later the Reds added another, running back a clearing kick Cummins again broke the line, put through a grubber kick that Jack Counter seized upon to score in Piggy Lane Corner. 31-14 to the Reds on 55 minutes. The game lost its fluidity for the remainer of the match as both sides struggled to win their lineouts of gave away penalties when in promising positions. Cinderford did narrow the deficit with a 5-metre line out maul try for Matthew Cotton on 71 minutes. The Reds were able to control field position for the last few minutes as the visitors chanced their arm running from anywhere in search of a double bonus point score. The match ended with neither side able to add to their tally.

The Redruth RFC Tribute man-of-the-match chosen by Graham Smith Chartered Accountants was fly-half Joe Cummins.

Next Saturday the Reds make the long trip to Chicken Farming country to take on 2nd place Luctonians. Please get down to the Recreation Ground though to see the Redruth 2nd XV take on that famous old Cornish club Penryn.

Redruth
Tries: T Cowan Dickie, C Rovery (2), J Simmons, J Counter.
Conv: Cummins (3)
Yellow Card: L.Barnes, J.Counter.

Cinderford
Tries: B Llewelyn, J Horrobin, M Cotton.
Conv: S Greenman (2).
Yellow Card: M Miles-Davies

Referee: James Milliner.
Assistant Referees: Stefan Anderson & Thomas- Andy Bickle.