Two tries in the last quarter finally allowed the Reds to pull clear of a spirited Penryn side who gave the young Reds a stiff challenge that belied their lowly league position. In the end in was probably the superior fitness of the home side that told as Borough struggled to stay the distance in the warm weather. A good-sized crown basked in the sunshine and there were many a pair of white legs on show for the first time this year.

Penryn started well and after some good rugby only a knock-on when reaching for the scoring pass prevented the first score. The visitors kept up the pressure with line-outs in the Reds 22 but the Reds defence was strong and they were unable to turn position into points. The Reds then sprung into life, from a lineout on their own 10 metres, after a few strong phases Cam Leigh cut a great line to storm clear, Will Luscombe was in support and just short of the line he slipped the ball to Sam Wolfe who went over for the first try. Nat Dart converted and he was to go on to have a perfect day with the boot, 7-0 to the Reds on 14 minutes. Penryn soon hit back though, from a lineout in the Reds half they spun the ball wide and got around the Reds defence on the left side, the scramble defence prevented the try but a few pick-an-goes later they were over for a try by Billy Jordan converted by James Salisbury to tie the scores on 17 minutes. From the restart however the Reds went back ahead, initially Borough made good progress down their left wing but the back tracking Lewis Bostock intercepted. The Reds recycled and moved the ball to their left and a good long pass saw Bailey Williams make good ground before another well-timed pass fed Finn Robinson who sprinted away from the chasing Penryn centre to score a converted try in the Tribute Lounge corner. Penryn were to dominate field position and possession for the remainder of the half but were unable to turn pressure into points as the Reds defence held firm. A very kickable missed penalty on 35 minutes summed up a frustrating period of play for the visitors.
Half-Time: Redruth 14 – 7 Penryn

The second period was only a few minutes old when the Reds lost Luscombe, victim of a swinging arm in the tackle. After a period of midfield action Penryn narrowed the deficit, from a lineout deep inside the Reds half they went through the phases and in the end a good wide pass to their impressive left-wing Ross McKnight saw the speedster go over in the Tribute Lounge corner. The conversion never troubled the posts and we had a two-point game on 45 minutes. The Reds were now to stamp their authority on the match as the Penryn pack started to labour and gaps began to appear in the visitor’s defence. But in a reversal of the first half, it was to be the Reds who would now struggle to turn position and possession into points. The home sides best opportunity came from a kick return, a searing break from Ben Rosevear saw the scrum half break clear but unfortunately, he didn’t spot the supporting Dart on his shoulder and the move broke down with the try line begging. The Reds continued to press the visitors back but a score would not come, the visitors to their credit were always game to run out of defence but were struggling to get out of their own half. Finally, the dam broke, from a scrum near the left touchline on the Borough 10 metres Bostock made a clean break and a powerful hand off allowed him to finish in Hellfire Corner. Dart converted and the Reds were 9 points up on 66 minutes. The Reds spilled the restart and Penryn almost took full advantage; they went against the grain from the scrum and only a poor pass prevented a try. A yellow card soon after ended the visitors challenge and the Reds pressed for the remainder of the game. A chip ahead by Lewis Wills almost brough a score but it was to be in the final play of the game that the Reds got their bonus point score. They tapped a 5-metre penalty and after a few pick-an-goes Captain Finn Wolstencroft powered over and Dart added the extras.

A good win for the Reds that cements their position at the right end of the table. We wish Borough well in their relegation battle and hope to lock swords again next season. Next week the Reds travel to Saltash for their final away game this being followed by a series of home fixtures in April and into May.

Redruth
Tries: Wolfe, Robinson, Bostock, Wolstencroft.
Conv: Dart (4).

Penryn
Tries: Jordan, McKnight.
Conv: Salisbury
Yellow Card: Levick.