With the tail of Storm Dave (named by the Met Office in honour of our club President) blowing across the ground a crowd of some 350 sheltered in the Grandstand to witness a Cornish Derby match of high quality. Both teams passed the ball with accuracy in the challenging conditions to entertain all that were there. The Reds held the sway up front with the pack often making great ground with ball in hand and dominating at scrum time. The Reds backs given this platform looked sharp and incisive and it was testament to the defence of the Truro side that the score line was held in check. Truro also attacked with intent but the Reds showed the defensive organisation that had been missing in recent weeks and were determined that the blue tide would not cross their line easily.

Truro kicked off playing towards the Scoreboard with the very strong wind largely in their favour. The visitors were immediately on the attack and the initial period was spent largely in the home half and 22. The Reds defended well though and the visitors then suffered a double blow losing Lewis Carne to a yellow card for a high tackle and then big No.8 Jack Tidball to a nasty looking leg injury soon after. Despite this double set back Truro kept the play in the Reds half and broke the deadlock when a chip to the corner sat up nicely for Luke Tidball to dot down for an unconverted try. The Reds were soon back on even terms, finally getting their hands on the ball they started playing with some fluidity challenging the visitor’s defence. A lineout 8 metres out almost made the line but a few pick-an-goes later Bailey Williams was over for an unconverted try. From the kick-off return the Reds swept downfield and only a well-placed Truro hand prevented a scoring pass from finding its man. Truro again got into the Reds 22 but the home defence was now looking very secure and the attack was repulsed. Against the strong wind the Reds now looked to move the ball whenever possible and shunned the boot for long periods. A scrum in the visitors half saw the Reds work a backs move into the 22 and a quick switch back the other way ended with an unconverted Sam Wolfe try in the Piggy Lane Corner. 10-5 to the Reds on 27 minutes. The Reds were now playing some good stuff and from a lineout some 15 metres out they made good ground with the maul, after a few forward charges they won a penalty. Dean Wills took a quick tap and went over from close in for a try he superbly converted into the teeth of the wind. This proved to be the last score of an enthralling half of rugby.
Half-Time: Redruth 17 – 5 Truro

The Reds started the 2nd half on fire, running back a poor Truro clearance, they got to the 22, chose some good options and Dean Wills was over in the scoreboard corner for an unconverted try only 2 minutes after the break. Truro now played some good rugby taking play into the home 22 but the Reds defence held firm once more and won a penalty to clear. Truro were moving from just inside their own half, and looking dangerous, when leaping like a salmon Aden Earnshaw plucked the ball out of the air, pumped his fist, and then ran in from 40 metres for a converted try under the sticks. Straight from the restart a monster kick from Dean Wills took play from 22 to 22. From the lineout Truro tried to run out but were turned over, the Reds moved the ball towards the right and good passing put Rhys Bowery in at the scoreboard corner for an unconverted try on 55 minutes. This surprisingly proved to be the last score of the match as the game began to get much more stop start despite the best efforts of both sides. The Reds almost added a try at the end of the match, from a penalty in their own 22 they tapped and kicked long. The chase pressured Truro, the Reds nicked the ball and seemed certain to score but with the line at their mercy a pass only suitable for a Giraffe went to the right wing and the play ended soon after.

Next Saturday sees a double header at the Recreation Ground; the 2’s take on St.Ives and the 1st XV have a vital league encounter with Chester that kicks off at 2pm (NOT at 3pm as in the members handbook). It is hoped that St.Ives will agree to a 4.30pm kick-off for the 2nd XV.

Redruth
Tries: Williams, Wolfe, Wills D. (2), Earnshaw, Bowery.
Conv: Wills, D. (2)

Truro
Try: Tidball, J.
Yellow Card: Carne