Redruth grabbed a narrow home win over a determined Old Albanian side with a converted Dean Bonds try with only minutes left on the clock. In truth this game should never have been in doubt as the Reds dominated field position and possession but struggled to break down the fiercely committed Old Albanian defensive wall.

OA’s kicked off playing towards the Camborne end on an immaculate looking Recreation Ground surface, this despite the heavy rain that had fallen all day. Mercifully the rain eased in time for kick-off and it remained dry for much of the contest. OA’s were immediately on the attack but the Reds did well to repulse a couple of catch and drive efforts. The Reds hit back gaining field position curtesy of a superb Dean Bonds catch from an up-an-under, several attacks were beaten back but finally Steele Barker went over for a converted try under the posts on 24 mins.
The lead was short lived as a loose Redruth kick out of defence was well run back by the OA’s from their own half and this led to a converted try under the posts by live wire scrum half Elliott McPhun just a few minutes later. Now it was the Reds turn to hit back and a series of assaults on the OA’s line led to a try in Hellfire Corner by Kyle Bradley, the conversion just shaving the post. This was a short lived lead however and after the Reds conspired to drop the kick-off the OA’s No.9 doubled his tally running in from the 22 yard line straight from the scrum without a hand being laid on him. The extras were added to put OA;s back in front with half-time looming. There was still time for the Reds to attempt another catch-and –drive in Hellfire Corner but again the OA’s defended well.
Half-Time: Redruth 12 – 14 Old Albanian

The second 40 minutes saw almost total Redruth dominance in terms of field position with Fraser Honeys kicking standing out as he constantly pinned the OA’s back into their half. But try as they might the scores would not come for the Reds as time and again the OA’s held firm. After 54 mins a long kick out defence by OA’s looked to be easily covered but the Reds clearance kick was charged down and OA’s were over just to the left of the posts, the conversion luckily bounced in off the post to put OA’s 9 points to the good.
Redruth again took the play into the OA's half but it was not until the 63rd minute that they added to their total with a Fraser Honey penalty. On 70 mins OA’s missed touch from a penalty and this proved key allowing the Reds to get back up the field and put further pressure on the visitors. Finally from a line out in the shadow of the Tribute Lounge the Reds got a maul moving and went over for a Dean Bonds try to the delight of home supporters. Fraser Honey showed nerves of steel to slot the winning conversion and the Reds saw out the remaining minutes with no alarms.

Referee: Alan Chandrachud
Asst. Referee 1: Ian Pengelly
Asst. Referee 2: Grant Mossford