The clash with the Titans went the way of the home side in a pulsating encounter at the Recreation Ground. The Reds were dominant for much of the game but time and time again last-ditch Taunton defence stopped the home side from pulling away. The Titans despite being starved of regular quality possession were always dangerous and proved they could score from anywhere on the field. Tom Putt at fly-half gave a masterclass and his sledgehammer boot continually drove the visitors up the field. The Reds seemed to have the game won when Joe Cummins put them two scores clear with only 5 minutes remaining. However, a Scott Gibson try for the visitors made the last few minutes a nervous affair for Reds supporters as Taunton tried to repeat the last play of the game victory of last season. This time the home side were able to prevail for a deserved victory.

On a beautiful warm and sunny day with hardly a breath of wind Redruth kicked off playing towards Hellfire Corner. The opening period saw the Reds mainly on the attack but every time Taunton got their hands on the ball they played with speed and accuracy to stress the Reds defence. The first score came on 16 minutes, the Reds had sustained attack in the Taunton 22 with a series of lineouts that the Titans defended well. A scrum some 10 metres out saw the Reds pack shove the Taunton eight back and quick ball out to the right wing allowed Noah Clifford to cross in Hellfire Corner unopposed. Cummins slotted the touchline conversion superbly although this was not to prove to be his best day with the boot. Taunton were soon level, a steepling up-and-under took a deflection right into the hands of a Titan. Although the Reds just managed to pull the attacker down short of the line, a quick off-load later and Ollie Aboud was under the posts for a converted try. A few minutes later Taunton took the lead, from a lineout some 35 metres from the line the Reds seemed to be defending well, but Troy Jackson showed some great footwork to find a gap and sprint to the line for another 7-pointer. The Titans were 7 points up after 25 minutes and looking very dangerous.
The Reds now scored a beauty, Taunton cleared to half-way and the Reds countered and the move ended with Clifford again going over in Hellfire Corner, the kick went wide but the Reds were back to within 2 points. The Reds kept on the pressure and following a 5-metre lineout Connor Gilbert made good ground, quick ball and a 30 metre Cummins pass and Clifford had his Hellfire Corner hat-trick on 31 minutes. The Reds continued to have the better of things but could not add to their lead before the break, Titans doing well to nullify the home sides lineout maul.
Half-time: Redruth 17 – 14 Taunton Titans

Reds supporters spent the break thinking that with the slope in their favour the visitors were now favourites to take the spoils but the Redruth side had other ideas. The Reds camped in the Taunton half and were soon all over the try line with a series of pick-an-goes. The Titans defended well but only at the expense of a penalty. The Reds opted to scrum and the Taunton eight were shunted backwards, the try did not come but a penalty did. Another scrum and the same result but this time the referee went under the posts to award a penalty try. A couple of minutes later Taunton pulled back 3 points through the boot of Putt. Almost immediately the Titans were back on level terms, the Reds were attacking deep in the visitor’s half when out of nowhere Putt intercepted to run 60 metres to the line for a try he converted. All square on 51 minutes. The Reds did not let their heads go down and were back on the attack, a promising move cut Taunton apart but the Reds were held just short of the line. Taunton had a defensive scrum some 5 metre out but were powered backwards to concede a penalty. The Reds took a quick tap but did not make the line and Taunton intercepted again to clear their lines. A superb 50: 22 by Putt took play deep into Red territory but the Reds made a mess of the visitors lineout to clear their lines. The Reds worked their way up field and playing an advantage in the Taunton half crosskicked. Putt interfered with the Redruth player in the air, in a dangerous manner, and was shown a Yellow Card. The Reds went to the corner and mauled over the line for a Tom Cowan-Dickie try to put the Reds back in front. The Reds kept up the pressure but were unable to add to their tally, a decent penalty chance going wide on 72 minutes. The Reds then added a try from nothing; Cummins ran back a Taunton clearance and put up a huge high kick, nobody got near the ball and Cummins regathered after the bounce to go under the posts for a try he converted to a huge roar from the home faithful. The Cornishmen were now 12 points up with time running out. Taunton were down but not out and forced a lineout some 10 metres from the home line. Luke Hattam stole the ball at the tail and then proceeded to hoof the ball some 50 or 60 metres up-field deep into Taunton territory. Taunton then launched a counter which cut through the disjointed home defence for try under the posts by Scott Gibson. It was now only a 5 point game and home fans nerves were jangling. The Reds looked to have made victory certain when they stole Taunton ball in the visitors half but in trying to run down the clock went off their feet at the ruck to gift the visitors a penalty. The resulting lineout was only some 35 metres from the Reds line but yet again the home pack came up with the ball to seal the win.

There could be no question that the Reds were full value for their win but Taunton showed why they are near the top of the table and will be formidable opposition in the return fixture. The Reds will train this week in the happy knowledge that they won a tough encounter against a good side but without taking a lot of the chances their good play presented.
Next Saturday its back to the Recreation Ground again as the Reds face another challenge from Somerset in the form of Hornets RFC. Expect another exciting match as the Reds attempt to stay top of the pile.

Matchday Sponsors: Southern Point Construction https://www.facebook.com/southernpointconstruction/ and Local Cricket clubs.

Redruth Tribute Man-of-the-Match chosen by Local Cricketers Tom Cowan-Dickie