BLACKHEATH 55 REDRUTH 16 Saturday September 30th 2006
An eight try to one mauling and many lessons learned. It would be all too easy to criticise, use adjectives that other Clubs use in their match reports on their websites that are wholly inappropriate, demand that heads must roll and ask for the rest of the season to be cancelled. However, let’s be objective and fair.
Yes, this was the Reds biggest defeat since the home defeat to Launceston 15 – 62 on 13 April 2002. However, Redruth were ravaged by injuries and illness, fielded a side with an average age of barely 22, gave debuts to three teenagers, and were up against a Blackheath side in full flow from the kick off. In fact, right from the start, when Nathan Pascoe misjudged the ball, the Reds were under pressure and always playing catch up.
Coach Nigel Hambly did not look to make excuses. ” We were hammered, awful, bad. Very, very poor. The young lads can hold their heads up, others may need to take a long, hard look this week. Blackheath gave us a lesson in finishing and dominated us up front.”
Keeping the ball tight, driving up the middle, and after falling 12-0 down after 12 minutes from tries by Binder and Moan, the Reds had a spell of good possession, and two sweetly-struck Mike Hook penalties kept the visitors in touch.
Skipper Craig Bonds, who felt the loss deeply at the end, led from the front, Richard Carroll never gave up and could hold his head high, James Mann was in the thick of it, and Sam Brown, stepping in after the late withdrawal of the sick Mark Richards, did his best with scrappy ball.
Shaun Manning added a further converted try after 25 minutes, Nathan Pascoe was yellowed after persistent team infringements, and Blackheath full back Frankie Neale continued his recent excellent kicking form.
Blackheath hooker Rob Webber added a 4th try for Blackheath just on half time in Pascoe’s absence, following a superb catch and drive from a lineout, meaning the home side had wrapped up the bonus point by half-time and leaving the Reds with a mountain to climb.
Redruth restarted brightly, but the home side soon added to their tally with Webber scoring his second try, again following another catch and drive.
With John Navin replacing Pascoe, for 20 minutes or so the Reds stemmed the tide. Blackheath winger Martin Olima had a try disallowed for a foot in touch, then Marek Churcher had to retire with a cut head, giving a debut to Paul Teixeira in a position at full back that he would be unaccustomed to. For the half hour he was on, he did well.
Nevertheless, with the might Reds forwards giving one of their poorer displays for some time, Neale dummied and went over, then Blackheath replacement Dominic Waldouck, a Wasps Academy player, intercepted and raced in under the posts.
Last seasons Colts captain Dan Job came on with 10 minutes to go, replacing Darren Dawiduik, who had another solid game. Centre Binder tore in under the large phone mast in the corner to bring the home side’s tally to 55, and on the final whistle young winger Adam Keverne touched down to provide a consolation try and add some respectability to the day.
Blackheath visit Redruth on 13th January 2007.
Newcomers Cambridge make their first visit to the Recreaton Ground next Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Interestingly, Redruth have already fielded 27 different players in the 5 September games, and only Bonds and Hook have been ever-present in the backs. Jacgues, Cook, Carroll, Mann, Lawton and Pascoe have made it on for all five games up front.
Redruth: Churcher, Lea, Bonds, Peters, Keverne, Hook, Brown, Jacques, Dawiduik, Williams, Cook, Carroll, Pascoe, Mann, Lawton. Reps – Teixeira, Job, Lutey, Navin.
Blackheath: Neale, Wheaton, Binder, Moan, Olima, Vaughan, Manning, Webber, Webber, Brett, Vanner, Bason, Kelland, Allen, Aseme. Reps – Waldouck, Smith, Natera, Dewale.
Referee – Mr D. Sainsbury.
