In a match played on the top pitch the wind had a major factor in this match. If those watching the 1st XVs match thought that was windy now factor in an increase in elevation to the top pitch and no cover from the trees or stand and you will have some idea. Your correspondent only caught the final few seconds of the first 40 plus the second half so the report is somewhat limited.

Redruth played against the elements in the first half and had done well to limit St. Ives to only one converted try until the last move of the half. St. Ives running the ball from their own half made a series of half breaks to get behind the Reds and were able to keep things going for an excellent try scored by W.Perkin to extend the visitors lead going into the break.
Halftime: Redruth 0 – 12 St.Ives

The Reds will have thought they had even chance of victory going into the second period but in the end they were outdone by the older, heavier and stronger St.Ives team who adopted excellent tactics against the wind keeping the ball tight, passes short and relying on direct running. The lineouts were a lottery, if the ball went beyond 2 in the line, and the Reds struggled to adapt to this problem.
Early in the second period St.Ives lost a player to the bin for a tip tackle and the Reds were in the 22 but the lineout throw was blown off course and the chance went begging. Some St.Ives pressure in the 22 was withstood and the Reds took a penalty quickly and found touch in the opposition 22 such was the strength of the wind. Again, though the lineout was lost in the wind. Soon after the Reds won a lineout just outside the 22 and the maul marched forward all the way to the try line but unfortunately was held up just short of the line for a scrum to the visitors. From this position the St.Ives No.8 picked up and made great ground into the Reds half, linked with support and the attack only ended with a knock-on in the home 22. St.Ives won a penalty at the scrum and took a tap which ended with a try by Perkin that went unconverted. The visitors were 17 up on 51 minutes. The Reds now piled on the pressure and from a lineout 20 metres out they mauled and then went through some pick-an-goes before Bailey Williams barged over for a try superbly converted by Nat Dart. The Reds were now buzzing and soon had another. From a ruck on the right wing, they moved the ball across field and Rhys Bowery was over in the corner, somehow Dart converted from the touchline and the Reds were back to within 3 points on 67 minutes. That was as good as it got for the Reds. The home side were attacking in the visitors 22 when they were stripped of possession, the Hakes broke out of defence and ended up being tackled into touch 5 metres from the home line. St.Ives never let the home side escape and the attack ended with a try for powerful No.8 R.Baragwanath that N.Prout converted. The Reds were unable to strike back to earn a losing bonus point and the match ended without further incident.

Next Saturday the Reds 2nds are at home to Kingsbridge please come along and give them your support as they aim for their best ever finish at Level 7.

Redruth
Tries: Williams, Bowery.
Conv: Dart (2).
Yellow Card: Luscombe.

St.Ives
Tries: Warren, Perkin (2), Baragwanath.
Conv: Prout (2).
Yellow Card: (2).

Referee: James Milliner