National Two South

Redruth 17

Cornish All Blacks 0

The Recreation Ground

REDRUTH ran out winners of the National League Two South Cornish derby in a game blighted by strong winds and a heavy pitch.

Redruth’s head coach Steve Larkins was happy with his side’s win and felt that they played the conditions well. “The conditions were a great leveller today, which was a shame for the brand of rugby we wanted to play. At the end of the day I am just happy to get the win because a derby game is always very tough irrespective of the sides’ league positions.

“I thought we were comfortable throughout, we weathered the first half and turned around 5-0 up and then got the early score in the second half and kicked on from there, so at the end of the day we are pretty pleased.”

Despite the defeat Cornish All Blacks’ head coach Jimmy Tucker was pleased that his side fronted up. He said: “The passion was there today, I’ve been asking a few searching questions of late and I feel they responded today. I think the sides were pretty equal today the deciding factor was Redruth scored when they had territory and we didn’t.

“We did break the game line, Jon Dawe and Lewis Edwards had some good runs there and caused a bit of panic in the Reds’ defence but we still lack that cutting edge at the moment.”

The Cornish All Blacks began well with Dawe earning a penalty with a good counter-ruck. Sadly the chance was wasted as they knocked on from the tap.

Both sides struggled with the conditions especially at line out time, whilst long cut out passes were out of the question.

The Cornish All Blacks had a penalty kick for goal but fly-half Chris Swash saw his effort pushed wide.

The Redruth forwards drove well with the back row of Kyle Marriott, Chris Fuca and Ben Priddey looking lively along with man-of-the-match lock Ashley Lawton.

Indeed it was Lawton who made the breakthrough with Redruth’s first try on the half hour following a series of pick and goes.

Centre Jon Dawe along with skipper Richard Friend had the best effort for the visitors near the end of the half for the All Blacks.

With the second half barely a minute old Redruth had doubled their advantage when Priddey was driven over from a catch-and-drive.

The Cornish All Blacks looked to get back into it with centre Ryan Westren, Swash and winger Lewis Edwards trying to weave some magic but the Redruth defence was solid.

Instead a further period of Redruth pressure brought a third try when skipper Sam Parsons followed up a grubber kick to score and make the game safe. Full back Brett Rule kicked a fine conversion in the gathering gloom.