Luctonians started proceedings and were immediately on the front foot charging down a Redruth clearance. Despite stubborn Redruth defence the home side went ahead through a catch and drive, James Mear getting the touchdown. Tom Jones converted to put the home side 7 points up in as many minutes. Soon after Lucs added a second catch and drive try through Brad Smith that went unconverted. The Reds now got into the game and forced a lineout some 7 metres out and forced a penalty which they tapped and pummelled the home line. Lucs defended but conceded a couple of penalties and the Reds went to the corner. Again, the Reds went forward but a scuffle between a couple of players stopped paly and they were both shown a yellow card. Lucs had conceded yet another penalty within 5 metres but did not receive a warning, the Reds again went to the corner. The Reds were moving the maul forward and won yet another penalty the 5th in a row. The Reds again went to the corner but a turnover penalty allowed Lucs to clear. From the lineout they went blind hacked downfield and the bounce of the ball went in their favour and Mear had his second try that Jones converted. The Reds got back on the attack with a lineout near the Lucs line, again the Reds pummelled the line but Lucs head firm and the Reds were penalised for a dummy at the ruck. The Reds were playing well and yet another penalty had Lucs finally on a warning. The lineout maul made ground but went down and Lucs won the scrum and then a scrum penalty to clear. A punch thrown by Bob Bray saw him sent to the bin and the Reds had the man advantage. Unfortunately, with the Reds attacking Lucs turned the ball over and went the length of the field for a Rob Aikman try converted by Jones on 36 minutes and that proved to be the last score of the half. The Reds must have been wondering how they were 26 points down after spending so much time in the Lucs 22 but the home side had certainly given the Reds a harsh lesson in taking your chances.
Half-time: Luctonians 26 – 0 Redruth

The home side soon extended their advantage when they converted yet another catch and drive, Ben Link adding to his try tally for the season and Jones adding the extras. The Reds now had a chance of their own with a 5-metre lineout but a forward pass from the back peel ended the attack. Lucs almost added to their lead but knocked on when over the try-line. However soon after they added another with Aikman getting on the end of a good backs move for an unconverted try. 38-0 to the home side on 55 minutes. At last, the Reds got the score their efforts deserved, from a lineout on the 22 Sam James cut a great line on a peel move and powered over for a try Joe Cummins converted. After a period of phase play from Lucs that seemed to go on forever against a spirited Redruth defence they were given a penalty which went to 5 metres. In what must have seemed like a game stuck on repeat for the Redruth side Lucs mauled over with Link getting his second, Jone converting. Lucs added another before the finish running back a Redruth clearance with style, Caleb Montegomery getting the try yet again converted by Jones. The Reds ended the game camped in the home 22 but in what was the story of their match could not convert pressure into points.

Lucs certainly showed why they are at the right end of the table converting pressure into points at every opportunity and defending their line with skill and determination. The scoreline may have been harsh on the Reds given the pressure they put on the home defence but at this level you have to make the most of your chances and on the day the Reds were unable to do so.
The Reds are next in action in two weeks’ time when they host Chester in a vital match for the club in what is the last home match of the season.

Referee: Nathan Howarth.
Assistant Referees: Adam Carpenter & Brian Ravenhill.