Saltash were worthy winners of this match and in overturning the Reds, they gave themselves a chance of avoiding relegation. They regularly cut through the Reds in the back line with some incisive running and clever angles and were much more clinical than the Reds when in their opponents 22.

At this point your correspondent must confess that having joined in fully with the players on their last away day of the season my memory of the match is somewhat hazy and the notes taken of the action appear to have been written in Swahili, by a 6-year-old. To complete my embarrassment, I also missed the first 10 minutes due getting stuck to a bar stool in the clubhouse
Saltash had first use of the wind and slope and immediately had the Reds on the back foot running in 2 quick tries to be 14 points up in only 5 minutes. The Reds attempted to fight back and got a foothold in their opponents 22 winning a string of penalties before finally Kaiden Carne went over for an unconverted try. Ashes, almost immediately, extended their lead with a penalty. Play was now fairly even but a superb 50:22 got the Ashes on the attack. Despite losing a player to yellow card just before the break they added a converted try after a lovely move in the backs from a scrum some 30 metres out.
Half-Time: Saltash 24 – 5 Redruth 2nds

Given the strength of the wind and the slope a 19-point deficit did not seem an impossible mountain to climb for the Reds. Early pressure from the Reds came to nothing and then from a scrum in their own 22 Ashes stormed up field into the Reds 22. The Reds conceded a penalty and from the lineout close to the line Saltash went over to stretch their lead to 24 points. With the Reds scrum well on top the visitors got on the front foot and pummelled the home try line but ended up being held-up over the line. Despite this they came straight back and Bailey Williams crossed for a try converted by Dean Wills on his return from injury. Wills struck a great kick soon after to take play from the Reds 22 to the home 22 and from the ensuing action the Reds were again held-up over the line. Soon after however a good run from Williams set a position for Carne to bag his second try with Wills converting. 29-19 to Saltash going into the last quarter. A hack out of defence by the Reds took play almost to the Ashes line but the Reds were deemed to be holding on and Ashes had the penalty to clear. That was as good as it got for the Reds, a strong Ashes attack saw Luke Johnson receive a yellow card for a high tackle in the 22 and the hosts closed out the game with 2 quick tries. The Reds did manage to grab a bonus point at the death with a catch-an-drive try for Jarod Hambly.

A disappointing game for the Reds but any despondency was soon shaken off as the players and travelling spectators enjoyed the bus trip home to the full. After being refused entry to the Halfway House in the Glyn Valley (full at 6.30pm apparently) a pitstop was made in Fraddon. This stop emboldened some of the supporters and a geriatric takeover of the back seat was seen, Jenny Hambly, Dave Ricketts and Ralph Pascoe forming the oldest back seat trio ever seen on a Redruth Rugby Coach!!

Next Saturday the Reds start their 4-game run of home matches as they take on Truro with a kick-off currently set for 5pm. There is a beer festival on at the club as well so please get down to the Recreation Ground to support the Reds and perhaps sample an ale or two.

Saltash
Tries: (6)
Conv: (3)
Pen: (1)

Redruth
Tries: Carne (2), Williams, Hambly.
Conv: Wills (2).