A depleted Redruth 2nd XV made the trip to South Devon to take on Newton Abbott. The backs had a familiar look but the pack had a couple of back rowers in the 2nd row, a prop at number 8 and a three-quarter playing at blindside flanker. The bench only contained backs so the forwards that started the day were in for a lone one. With the exception of Captain Luke Johnson and Jake Butcher the entire team were U23 and a number were still teenagers. It threatened to be a hard day at the office.

On a bright sunny day Redruth got things underway but were soon under pressure. Good play over many phases saw the home side go from 22 to 22. The Reds faced a defensive scrum in their own 22 and they did well to clear under severe pressure but the home side were soon back with a lineout on the 22. The maul powered the Reds back and the home side were over for an unconverted try on 5 minutes. The Reds almost struck straight back but when on the home line they were penalised for holding on. The Reds continued to have the better of the next 10 minutes but could not fashion clear cut scoring chance. A scrum penalty got the home side into the visitors 22 and the maul again powered over for an unconverted try to Newton. Soon after the Reds captain Luke Johnson had to leave the field with an injury and the home side added another try following a scrum near the line. The conversion was good to make it 17-0 on 27 minutes. The Reds were to score next, from a lineout near to the line the Reds were awarded a penalty. They tapped the ball and hammered away at the home line, after multiple phases they moved the ball to the right and quick feet by Nat Dart got him over the line. Dart converted from wide out to pull 7 points back. Unfortunately, the home side then added an unconverted try of their own. The Reds almost got a second try when Dart made a good break but he was stopped just a few yards short by a tackle that looked a tad high. The half ended without any further scoring.
Halftime: Newton Abbott 22 – 7 Redruth 2nds

At the start of the 2nd period the Reds had an opportunity with a lineout in the opponents 22 but the maul was held up and the chance lost. The Red scrum was powerless to resist the home side on their own ball and a penalty saw them back in their own 22. A lineout maul try followed on 45 minutes for Newton to increase their lead.
The Reds now scored a great try, some incisive running by backs and forwards over many phases took play to the home line and Jacob Chapple dived over for an unconverted try. Another try followed soon after for the home side and the conversion put them 34-12 up on 57 minutes. As the Reds started to be further depleted by injuries the home side added three more tries in the next 10 minutes to stretch the score line to 48-12 on 66 minutes. Both sides were now throwing the ball around like it was a sevens match and the Reds went on the hunt for the 4 try bonus point. Redruth pressure in the 22 led to a penalty 5 metres out the Reds tapped and some good passing put Rhys Bowery in at the corner. Dart converted superbly from the touchline. Newton added a try after an interception in the Reds 22 only one minute later. The Reds got their bonus point ty just before the end, moving the ball on hallway the ball went to ground but Ayden Earnshaw hacked on and showed excellent footwork to dribble the ball to the line for a converted try. There was just time for the home side to cap their victory with another converted try.

This was a sobering day for the young Redruth side as the power of the home 8 over the depleted visiting pack made life very difficult for the men in Red. It seems strange to say it but the general play in the match was relatively even and the tackling of the Redruth side could not be faulted. The home side though took full advantage of their power and every time they had a lineout in the 22 their maul went over the line. Hopefully the numerous injuries sustained will heal and the team will be ready for the challenge of Truro in two weeks’ time.

Newton Abbott
Tries: (10)
Conv: (6)

Redruth
Tries: Dart, Chapple, Bowery, Earnshaw.
Conv: Dart (3)