SAVOUR the scoreline! This was the one the Cornish All Blacks really wanted! Not only does it keep their promotion hopes alive but also keeps their undefeated league record against arch-rivals Redruth intact at Polson. Defeat by leaders Redruth would have realistically ended the All Blacks' hopes of going up this season. It was an exciting end to end game played with tremendous spirit and gusto by both sides. There were the usual derby 'incidents' but nothing too major and no yellow cards, writes Tony Randel.

Cornish All Blacks secured the win they richly deserved on the day, and by denying the Reds even a losing bonus point reduced the gap between the two arch-rivals to 14 points, but the All Blacks have two matches in hand.

A big crowd turned out to watch a match that was never a classic of running rugby but was still an absorbing affair between two closely-matched opponents. Redruth, who gave a debut to Emyr Lewis, on loan from Exeter Chiefs, had much the better in the scrums, whilst the Cornish All Blacks had very much the upper hand at the line-out, where lock Tom Skelding, also on loan from Exeter, had an outstanding game, both in that key aspect of his play, and in the loose.

Redruth's cause was not helped by losing winger Nathan Pedley to a torn hamstring in the 14th minute while No 8 Mark Bright hobbled off early in the second half with an ankle injury; thus bringing to a premature close the great battle between the respective number eights!

The opening half was grim and gutsy with neither side really finding their usual fluency. The referee's very strict interpretation of the law on holding on after the tackle also caused a number of stoppages. It lacked some of the passion so often shown in meetings between these two clubs. It did however give opportunities for the two kickers to make their respective marks on the game. Here Reds fly half Mark Scrivener succeeded with only one out of four attempts throughout the game whereas Launceston centre Mal Roberts landed three penalties and one conversion in one of his best ever performances.

Cornish All Blacks full back Gary Kingdom was tap-tackled just short of the line after a surging run in the opening minutes but Roberts slotted two penalties in quick succession to put the hosts 6-0 up after 12 minutes. Redruth responded with a Scrivener penalty in the 17th minute, after home flanker Tom Rawlings was penalised for not staying on his feet at the tackle area, and they almost scored the game's opening try just after the half hour mark when Lewis was stopped just a metre short by some resolute home defence.

However, the Reds did get the first try in the 37th minute, a superb drive by the Reds' pack at a close range scrum gave Bright the chance to cross in the corner, and even though Scrivener missed the touchline conversion, the Reds were ahead 8-6.

A scuffle that followed that score led to the referee warning both sides about their conduct, and the official was at the centre of the action again in first-half injury time when the Reds felt hard when penalised for going in at the side of a ruck, and Roberts kicked a neat penalty to give the All Blacks a narrow 9-8 advantage at the interval.

While the Reds arguably enjoyed the better of the first period, the hosts were definitely the more dominant force after the break although it took until 72nd minute to add to the score. This came when Skelding and winger Marc Dibble made incursions down the right hand side, before the ball was spun to the left, and good hands by Ryan Westren and Kingdom put winger Hamish Smales (who had played out of his skin in attack and defence all day) over in the left hand corner, which made the conversion just too difficult for Roberts to slot.

Either side of that try, Scrivener missed two kickable penalties for the Reds, and they were made to pay for those squandered chances in injury time when the Cornish All Blacks scored the try that denied their rivals a losing bonus point. Redruth full back Rob Thirlby, who was not at his best, managed to dive over the top of Steve Perry's clever grubber kick towards the try line, and Roberts pounced on the gift, to the delight of the home fans. His conversion attempt hit the upright, and he also missed a 40-metre penalty effort soon after, but the damage had already been done.

Hamish Smales was awarded the 'man-of-the-match' but it was a close call. Ben Turner, Mal Roberts, Tom Skelding and Sam Hocking also played huge parts in this team victory.

Cornish All Blacks are back to winning ways but there is still a long way to go and the three clubs ahead of the Cornish All Blacks in the league will need to stumble for this band of Cornishmen to have a realistic chance of returning to Division One but it looks like being a fascinating race.

Cornish All Blacks: Gary Kingdom, Marc Dibble (Jon Fabian 80), Ryan Westren, Mal Roberts, Hamish Smales, Steve Perry (Adam Staniforth 80), Ben Turner, Jason Bolt, Glenn Cooper, Hamish Mitchell, Tom Skelding, Mike Myerscough (T Collier 57), Josh Lord (capt), Tom Rawlings (Darren Semmens 79) and Sam Hocking. Replacement not used: Andy Knight.

Redruth: Rob Thirlby, Emyr Lewis, Craig Bonds, PJ Gidlow (capt), Nathan Pedley (Mike Georgiou 14), Maek Scrivener, Mark Richards, Darren Jacques, Owen Hambly (Ben Priddey 80), Peter Joyce (Ashley Morcom 74), Luke Collins, Damien Cook, Nathan Pascoe (Richard Carroll 70), David Roberts and Mark Bright (Chris Fuca 46).

Scorers – Cornish All Blacks: tries, Smales, Roberts; pens, Roberts (3).

Redruth: try, Bright; pen, Scrivener.

Referee: Mr Keith Lewis (RFU).