Redruth 23-37 Tonbridge Juddians

Redruth put up a brave performance pushing promotion chasing Tonbridge all the way until the final quarter before the visitors’ greater depth on the bench gave them a deserved win in their quest to reach the play-offs.
Star of the show for the visitors was a Cornishman, Duncan Tout, formerly at Bude who scored a hat-trick of tries at the home of Cornish rugby.
The defeat will be a bitter disappointment to Redruth, despite being down to the barebones in the backs for this game, so much so that they were obliged to field a bench containing only forwards with that man for all seasons Peter Joyce a late call up.
Jamie Eddy, a star of Cornwall Under 20’s campaign this season, made a home debut in the back row as did flanker Scott Butterworth from the bench. There was also a welcome return at full-back for Will Whitworth
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence in remembrance of much respected former local referee Selwyn Trevethick who sadly passed away last week.

With a stiff breeze blowing and some lukewarm sunshine both sides set off at a relentless pace. It was Redruth who struck first when centre Jack Simmons rounded off a fine move after just four minutes.
Tonbridge soon replied when flanker Truman Sullivan scored to level matters following sustained forward pressure.
No.8 Brad Howe put in some strong runs for the Reds, whilst Jack Oulton and Richie Kevern at half-back kicked for position.
Kevern kicked a penalty for Redruth to re-gain the lead, before Tout bagged the first of his tries converted by fly-half Will Robinson.
Kevern reduced the deficit before half-time with a second penalty, as Tonbridge were reduced to fourteen men following a yellow card.

Early in the second half Simmons intercepted to run in some 35 meters for his second try of the game with Kevern adding the extras.
Locks Todd Prisk and Luke Hattam put in some strong drives as did prop Loma Kivalu, whilst Pale Nonu gave his usual abrasive performance in mid-field.
Robinson cut the arrears with a penalty and then added the conversion to Tout’s second try of the game.
The departure of Kevern from the fray saw Oulton move to fly-half with Sam Stevens taking over at 9.
Redruth bounced back scoring a third try, this time from a catch-and-drive with skipper Richard Brown getting the score.
As injuries to the backs forced Redruth to improvise, Tonbridge took command. Tout scuttled over for his third try of the afternoon before No.8 Will Colderick added a fifth try. Robinson kicked a conversion and further penalty to complete the scoring.

There was further disappointing news for Redruth on Friday evening when popular centre Nielson Webber confirmed that due to the seriousness of the injury he picked up at Rams the previous week he had decided to retire from playing.
Apart from Redruth, Webber played for Barnstaple, Launceston and Old Patesians as well as playing representative rugby for Cornwall and England Counties. Nelly you will be missed on the field of play you have graced.

Redruth: W Whitworth, T Notman, J Simmons, P Nomu, D Bonds, R Kevern (L Barnes 55), J Oulton; L Kivalu (E Salt 41), R Brown (Capt) (M Gidlow 62), J Tompsett (L Kivalu 74), T Prisk, L Hattam, J Eddy (P Joyce 77), S Stevens, B Howe (S Butterworth 77).
Redruth: Tries, Simmons 2, Brown, Con, Kevern, Pens, Kevern 2
Yellow Card: Butterworth (78)

Tonbridge Juddians: M Galbraithe-Lowe, H Watson (T Chapman 70), D Tout, T Nicol (R White 54), F Coxon-Smith, W Robinson, C Edwards (Capt); J Whitmarsh (M Hayes 41), R Jackson (S Robinson 74), M Hayes (J Stanford 25) (J Whitmarsh 60), M Jurevicus, D Irvine, B Ashmore (M Davey 68), T Sullivan, W Colderick.
Tonbridge: Tries, Sullivan, Tout 3, Colderick, Cons, Robinson 3, Pens, Robinson 2
Yellow Card: Jurevicus (40)

Referee: Andrew Wrigley
Crowd: 525

SJ Andrew & Sons Redruth man-of-the-match: No.8 Brad Howe, put in some strong carries and worked hard at the breakdown.