A hard-fought win for the Reds at St. Ives between two sides who coped admirably with the conditions. Neither team gave up an inch easily and both sides found it difficult to break down the others defence but the Reds had slightly the better of things throughout and deserved their narrow victory. I’m not sure if it was the end of Storm Austen or the beginning of Storm Boelo but it was certainly extremely windy at St. Ives with powerful squalls of rain falling at times also to add to the fun. The wind was blowing mainly away from the clubhouse giving 90% of the spectators shelter but some hardy soles still chose to watch the match from the eastern bank and had to face the full force of the wind and rain! Lineouts were somewhat of a lottery; it was a rare occasion that the ball went beyond the fly-half and any optimist throwing a long pass soon saw the error of their ways. Kicking down the field was an easy source of yards instantly turning defence into attack.

St. Ives chose to play with the conditions so were looking to put points on the board in the first 40. The Reds were able to thwart this plan with stubborn defence and at the line out they completely shut down the home side who did not win their own ball once in the first half. The Reds line out ball was rarely the best, as it was only possible to throw to the front, but more often than not they came up with the ball. Into the wind the Reds opted to carry the ball in all areas to retain possession and they did this superbly. At scrum time after the home side initially dominated but thereafter the Reds eight held their own with young substitute prop Zach Taylor scrummaging like a veteran. The home side took the lead on 21 minutes after a pass by the Reds in their own 22 was blown over the dead ball line. The resulting 5 metre scrum gave the home side a platform and after a couple of pick-an-goes they were over for try be Chris Warren. The conversion despite being close to the posts was blow totally off course. The same pattern of play continued with the Hakes probably guilty of not kicking effectively to take full advantage of the wind. With the break beckoning the Reds won a penalty on halfway that they kicked to the 22. The lineout was won scrappily and they embarked on a series of pick-an-goes. With great body positions, and showing superb patience they edged their way towards the try line. They got to within 5 metres where the progress was halted by a St. Ives infringement. The Reds tapped the penalty and after another set of pick-an-goes Cam Leigh squeezed over to tie the scores. The conversion was on its way to the posts until the wind had other ideas and the half ended all square.
Half-time: St. Ives 5 – 5 Redruth 2nds

The second half followed the same pattern as the first 40 with this time the Hakes trying to keep possession into the wind. The Reds despite the wind advantage could not get the scores to pull away from their opponents, with a number of efforts from close to the Hakes try line being unsuccessful. The Reds did kick better than St. Ives, more than once earning not 50:22’s but 22:22’s. A long-range penalty attempt on 57 minutes was just wide but on 70 minutes the Reds went ahead. Luke Johnson slotted the penalty from in front of the posts and the Reds had a slender 3-point advantage. It seemed this would be enough for the Reds to see out victory but the Hakes mounted a final attack that stressed the visitors defence to their limit. The Hakes were going through the phases in the Reds 22 and looking very dangerous but the Reds managed to hold the ball up in the tackle some 10 metres short of their line to earn a scrum and end the match.

Both sides should be congratulated for their efforts on the day. More than this it was great to see the willingness of both clubs, plus referee Steve Bartlett, to get the match on when a number of other clubs called off their games. Okay it was very windy and this did spoil the match as a spectacle but rugby is a game for all conditions not just dry sunny days. Today was a day for the forwards and they certainly seemed to enjoy it.

Next Saturday the 2nds take on Kingsbridge on the top pitch whilst the 1st XV battle it out against 2nd place Hinckley. The Recreation Ground is the place to be and one thing is for certain; it won’t be as windy.

Referee: Steve Bartlett.

St.Ives
Try: Warren.
Yellow Cards: (2).

Redruth
Try: Leigh.
Pen: Johnson.
Yellow Cards: Johnson, Chapple (2).