Match Report by Nick Serpell

A massive performance by the Redruth pack laid the foundation for the fourth win on the trot in this 2026/27 season. It was also sweet revenge for last year's defeat at Topsham with Redruth largely managing to neutralise the speedy Exeter University backs.

On a dry day and a somewhat threadbare pitch, the students came out of the stalls at a gallop but they were met by a Redruth side that was determined to take the wind out of their sails. It took just nine minutes for the try-scoring machine, better known as Tom Cowan Dickie to finish off a fine forward shove from the Reds and put his side ahead. Joe Cummins had a difficult kick from the touchline which was caught by a sudden breeze as it reached the posts, and the ball dropped just short.

It did not take long for the students to hit back. After winning a penalty close to the 10m line, they kicked for touch and from the lineout spun the ball wide for Charlie Evered to score under the posts with Woody Walker adding the extras.

The try galvanised the Red's into action and strong work by the pack ended in a pile-up on the Exeter line and Tom Cowan-Dickie emerged with the ball to secure his second try of the game. This time Joe Cummins had no problem with the conversion.

Rob Baragwanath, who had an outstanding match, was next over the line for the Reds after 23 minutes but Joe Cummins again found himself off target.

There was a blow for Redruth when Todd Prisk was made to leave the field by the referee. He had sustained an accidental poke in the eye but was otherwise unhurt and it is a mystery as to why the referee decided it was unsafe for him to continue. Finn Wolstencroft came off the bench as a replacement.

Scrum-half Sam Bray was the next player to get on the scoreboard, taking advantage of an Exeter error. The students had been awarded a penalty and the attempt to take it quickly ended in the kicker fumbling the ball and knocking it on. From the resulting scrum the ball came back to Bray who dodged and weaved his way through the Exeter defence, some of whom seemed still to be wondering what had happened, and crossed to put the Reds further ahead. Joe Cummins' conversion attempt hit the posts.

Half Time: Exeter University 7-Redruth 22

In the early stages of the second half Redruth took the game by the scruff of the neck, shutting down all attempts of the students to run the ball wide. Exeter collected a yellow card in the first five minutes of the half and, from the resulting penalty, the Red's drove for the line allowing Tom Cowan-Dickie to emerge from the maul and put down for his hat trick. Again, the wind was unkind to Joe Cummins and his kick went wide.

The students, who had been looking drained in the first quarter of the second half, suddenly got a new lease of life. Their speedy full back, Billy Benson, who had always looked dangerous on the ball, broke free and crossed for Exeter's second try which Woody Walker converted.

Richie Kevern was now deploying his replacements and Redruth again began to get a grip on the game as the students tired. The Reds went further ahead five minutes from time when Jarrold Hambly crossed following a push-over from the pack. Joe Cummins made no mistake with the conversion.

It looked to be all over and had the Reds kept things tight it might have been. But a loose pass, floated over the Reds back division, was intercepted by Billy Benson, the Exeter full-back, who galloped almost the full length of the pitch to cross for a consolation try. The conversion was missed and the referee's whistle blew to signal another bonus point victory for Redruth.

It was a massive improvement on last years match when the students ran riot in the first quarter, scoring three unanswered tries and forcing the Reds to play catch-up. Redruth, who end the day at the top of the table, will now prepare to face what promises to be the toughest challenge so far this season as they host much-fancied Taunton at the Rec.