Whilst it’s difficult to be too positive after such a loss the young Redruth side should not be too downhearted after this result. Already somewhat understrength the loss of fly-half Adam Hall to injury after only 2 minutes left many players in the backs playing out of position. This loss was compounded, when with the score difference only 14 points early in the 2nd period, Aden Earnshaw had to leave the field placing a forward in the already disjointed back division. Paignton, who were absolutely full value for their win, took full advantage of the lack of cohesion in the Reds defence running in no less than 5 further tries in only 25 minutes to extend their victory margin.

On a lovely day for rugby the home side immediately put the visitors under pressure pinning them in their own half with powerful running stressing the Reds defence on both sides of the field. As was mentioned afterwards, you know you may be in for a difficult afternoon when the opposition backs are bigger than your forwards! The Reds defended manfully but after 15 minutes the dam burst for the first Paignton try for scrum-half Dewald Stoop, who was excellent all afternoon. Brad McKee converted the first of his 9 successful kicks, many from wide out, in an exhibition of place kicking that would have graced any international. The home side added a further try before, on his debut, Marley Johns finished off a good backs move from a lineout on 30 metres to make it 14-7 to the home side on 22 minutes. The two sides swapped tries before right on half-time Paignton stretched their lead to 21 points with another converted try.
Half-time: Paignton 35 – 14 Redruth 2nds

Paignton stretched their lead early in the 2nd period when the Reds gifted them field position after making a hash of the kick-off. 28 points down the Reds fought back with tries from Rhys Bowery, whose running all afternoon was dangerous, and Luke Johnston who had a good game after being thrust into the fly-half position for the first time in his rugby career. Only 14 points down the Reds seemed to be back in the game but any thoughts of a comeback were soon squashed as the home side cleverly recognised the issues that injuries had brought on the visitors and ran the ball at the Reds with great skill, pace and power. The last 25 minutes were not ones that any of the Redruth team would want to repeat but although they will look back at a number of the tries and think they could have done better it was just one of those games. Despite the seemingly one-way traffic the Reds did have their moments and Bowery added another try to his earlier effort after a great run from half-way beating a number of defenders. Redruth had a number of other chances but unfortunately the lineout malfunctioned in the last 20 and no less than 3 lineouts were lost whilst deep in the opposition 22.
Whilst there are clear mitigating factors for the result from the Redruth point of view nothing should be taken away from the home side who would have almost certainly won the game even if the Redruth side had not suffered the injuries. They played with the pace, precision and power of a team of at least a division higher and will fighting hard for the league title.

The Reds will regroup next Saturday when they are at home to Plymstock Oakes with a 2pm kick-off.

Paignton
Tries: Stoop (3), Makate, Pozniak, Hodge, Hoare (2), Carlisle, Osborne, Siddall.
Conv: McKee (9).

Redruth
Tries: Johns, Cairne. Bowery, Johnston (2).
Conv: Johnston (4).

Referee: Andrew Mitchell.