Sun hats were well advised on a beautiful day in Taunton, hot sunshine and no breeze led to conditions more suited to cricket than rugby.
Despite the clear difference between the teams on the scoreboard there was little to chose between the teams for much of the match. Taunton though fully deserved their win as they were the much more clinical of the two teams taking many of their chances when try scoring opportunities presented themselves and in Gary (2000 points) Kingdon they had a kicker slotting 5 out 6 goal attempts. The Reds by contrast were unable to fashion a score from a number of good positions in the Taunton 22 and only kicked 1 out of 5 goal attempts.

The Reds kicked off deep into the Taunton 22 from where Kingdon launched the return into the Reds 22 who then set off on a counter attack, the final pass to the wing was forward but Freddy Fraser intercepted the forward pass and was away unopposed to the posts only to be brought back by the referee’s whistle for the forward pass infringement. Relief on the faces of the very vociferous Redruth crowd and dismay on the Taunton supporters faces!
The first half was a fairly even affair but the Reds will feel they edged territory and chances wise but not where it mattered on the scoreboard.
Taunton were first to strike with a Kingdon penalty on 5 mins, the Reds penalised for not rolling away.
The Reds then had a period of domination but unfortunately two missed penalties meant that the scoreboard was blank.
Taunton hit back with a Dalton try from a 5 metre line out converted by Kingdon. Reds again took the game to Taunton and twice good passing gave Lewis Vinnicombe the chance to surge clear, both times he chipped the full back and it was only the lottery of the bounce of a rugby ball that prevented tries. The Reds endeavour was rewarded though on 35 mins when Dean Bonds, under tremendous pressure, superbly fielded a high Taunton clearance kick, made ground and fed Matt Shepherd who beat the cover for a try in the corner which went unconverted. Further Reds pressure in the dying minutes of the half led to a Taunton yellow card. Reds were unable to punish the home side being adjudged held up in goal to end the half.

Half-Time: Taunton 10 – 5 Redruth

The second half started with Taunton down to 14 men but the Reds were unable to make this advantage count. Kingdon, who had been moved to full-back, chased his own kick ahead and was adjudged to have been impeded by a Redruth player, the resulting penalty being kicked to the corner. From this position Chris Francis went over the line and was adjudged to have grounded the ball, Kingdon converted to reach 2000 points for Taunton RFC, a fantastic achievement. The best try of the match came with Taunton taking the ball in their own 22 they attacked through Nick Mason who burst between the Redruth centres passed to Jack Arnott who sprinted down the touchline before passing back inside to Nick Mason who was away but got caught from behind, the ball was recycled to Julian Salvi who threw a pass which was caught on his toes by the agile Gary Kingdom out to Freddie Fraser who scored in the corner. In shock news Gary Kingdon actually missed the kick! The game seemed to then ebb and flow with each side having opportunities until after 62 minutes Jack Simmons glided through the Taunton defence to go under the posts for a converted score. Reds were now within 10 points but thoughts of a victory were soon dashed, when, from the kick off Taunton pressured the Redruth line and after 66 minutes were rewarded when Lewis Webb went over for a converted try. The Reds ended the game in the Taunton22 but were unable to add to their scoreline.

Great effort by both teams in the hot conditions.
Next week the Reds will take on Barnes with a 3pm kick-off.

Full-Time: Taunton 29 - 12 Redruth

Referee: Neil Sweeney
Assistant Referee: Andy Bickle & Grant Mossford