The Ams went ahead through a driving maul on 4 mins and were never behind as they proved a little too strong for the young Reds on the day. Their powerful maul proved almost unstoppable and It was a great day for home hooker Eli Williams who touched down for 4 tries all from driving mauls. If 3 tries is beer jug what do you have to buy for 4 tries? The Ams led at half-time lead by 19-3 and the Reds never got close enough to make the home side nervous despite having the better of the 2nd period. In the end the Reds had to give best to the Ams side who should end up near the top of this league.

The Ams kicked off in the anti-cyclonic gloom playing down the slight slope and away from the clubhouse. They got on front foot straight away and forced the Reds into a goal line drop out. A few play s later and from a lineout on the 22 they got the maul moving and went the distance for Williams first try converted by Rhodri McAtee to go 7 up. From the kick-off though the Reds reclaimed the ball due to a superb take under pressure by Matt Blewitt. This gave the Reds some field position and although they were unable to threaten the try line a well struck penalty by Ashley Hosking on 13 mins pulled 3 points back. Again from the re-start the Reds clamed the ball through Louie Fowler-Beaton who then stormed upfield taking play to just outside the 22 earning the Reds a penalty in the process. This was put into the corner but the maul was held up by the strong home pack. A couple of penalties allowed the Pirates to earn a lineout 15 metres out and this provided try number two for Williams as they powered over the line wide out, McAtee converting superbly from the touchline, 14-3 on 24 mins. The Reds now had a lineout in the Pirates 22 but lost the lineout which was finding life tough against the home 8 in this aspect of the game. Not much later the Ams added their, and Williams 3rd, driving maul try this time the conversion sailing wide. The Reds now looked to hit back and spent the remainder of the half in home territory. A superb touch find by Hosking gave then a 5 metre lineout and the maul got moving hitting the floor just short of the line, multiple pick-an-goes were repulsed by the home defence who stood strong finally winning a penalty which they put off the field to end the half. This proved to be a crucial period as a try would have put the game in the balance however the Ams went in comfortably ahead.
Half-Time: Pirates Amateurs 19 - 3 Redruth 2nds

The Reds started the 2nd half on fire forcing multiple penalties in the home 22 but despite lineouts and scrums near the line they were unable to pierce the home defence. The Ams tackled strongly in the tight and their rush defence outside gave the Reds little room to move in. The Reds scrum was going well though against the big Ams pack with the front row dominating their opposite numbers.
The Ams though were able to extend their lead when after missing a penalty on 50 mins they added their 4th (and thankfully last) driving maul try to go 26-3 ahead. The Reds got back on the attack and again forced a succession of penalties penning the home side in their 22. After yet another penalty one of the home side was shown a yellow card. The Reds soon got on the scoreboard, after many pick-an-goes were repulsed they quickly switched the ball to the blind side and Adam Hall squeezed in at the corner for try that Hosking converted beautifully from the touchline. Straight from the kick off the Reds swept down the field with Blewitt making good ground but a possible try chance went begging as the wrong option was taken. A few minutes later Blewitt almost scored when he went for an interception but the ball just popped out of this hands with the entire Ams team behind him. With time running out Hosking made a good break on half-way slipped the ball onto Ben Smith who was tackled within inches of the line, support arrived and a Cam Leigh finished things off for a converted try on 77 mins to get the Reds within 9 points. Could the Reds get a losing bonus point? The answer was negative unfortunately and the Pirates had the last word with a well struck penalty by McAtee.
A very competitive match with the Pirates Ams deserving their victory but the Reds will have learnt a few lessons today and can be proud of their efforts against one of the best sides in the division on their home turf.

Pirates Amateurs
Tries: Williams (4)
Conv: McAtee (3)
Pens: McAtee

Redruth
Tries: Hall, Leigh.
Conv: Hosking (2)
Pen: Hosking