On a dry calm evening on a pitch thick with lush new grass the two sides entertained a large Friday Lights crowd of around 250. In a pulsating end to the match the lead changed hands 3 times in the last 10 minutes.

Redruth kicked off playing towards the Scoreboard and immediately forced a couple of lineouts in the opposition 22 but aggressive Helston defence kept them well away from the try-line. Helston were to go on to have the better of the first 40 but were unable to put points on the board. A number of times they broke the Reds line with centre Decarlo Trerise catching the eye and were once held-up over the line. For the Reds Mawgan Croker was having a good debut and Matthew Blewett always looked dangerous. On 35 minutes the Reds had the ball around half-way when play was stopped and Jacob Chappell was yellow carded for back-chat to the referee. Helston kicked the penalty to the 22 and then a monster driving maul went over the line, Jago Crapp coming up with the ball. The conversion was slotted to put the visitors 7 points to the good. The half ended in a calamity of errors, firstly Helston tapped a 5-metre line-out into touch. The Reds then won the next line out but somehow slammed the ball against the head of one of their own players to gift Helston the ball a few metres out. Helston were then held-up over the line to end the first 40.
Half-Time: Redruth 2nds 0 – 7 Helston

If the first 40 belonged to Helston the second period saw the men in red in charge. There had definitely been some words said in the half-time huddle because the Reds came out a different side. The forwards and backs started to be a bit more direct before the ball was spread wide with Oli Wells making a lot of yards. It was no surprise when after 50 minutes Rhys Bowery finished off an attack with a try in piggy-lane corner. The conversion went wide but the Reds were now within 2 points. Soon after a Helston player was shown a yellow card but the Reds were unable to turn the numerical advantage into points. Many times, they opted to scrum in the 22 instead of kicking to the corner but somehow Helston were keeping them at bay. Finally, the dam broke with Ollie Darby powering over and Lewis Wills adding the extras. 12-7 to the Reds on 70 minutes. What is the cardinal sin just after taking the lead? Don’t drop the kick-off. Redruth did precisely that and Helston made them pay. In what was just about their only concerted attack of the second half they pressed the Reds back. Following a 5-metre lineout the visitors hammered away at the line to allow Jamie Trewin to snipe over for a try he converted. Helston back in front with only 4 minutes left on the clock. Helston now proceeded to do the same as the Reds as they dropped the kick-off gifting the Reds a scrum deep in their 22. The Reds made them pay with a try by Matt Blewett that went unconverted to put the Reds 3 points up.
There was still time for Helston to mount another attack that had the Reds defending desperately but they just held on.

No game for the Reds 2nds next week but their league season gets underway on September 26th with the visit of Devonport Services ends due to the RFU delaying the start of the community rugby season. Its not stopped raining since they made the announcement!
Good luck to Helston in their drive for promotion.

Redruth
Tries: Bowery, Darby, M.Blewett.
Conv: Wills

Helston
Tries: Crapp, Trewin
Conv: Trewin (2)