This was possibly the best performance of the season for Redruth Colts.
Playing at Kenwyn Hill on a very good surface this made for an intriguing cup
tie between arguably the best two under 18s sides in Cornwall.

The early exchanges were very even, but playing with the slope the Reds had
plenty of opportunities to open the scoring. But what has become all too
evident this season has been the failure to turn pressure into points, and
this costing them later in the game.

Eventually the Reds found a way through when dynamic winger Leigh Isaacs
went over for a try, after a clever cross kick from fly half Chevy Reed.
Reed added the conversion.

The visitors extended the lead before the break when Scott Murray went in at
the corner to make it 12 nil at the break as the reds dominated the play.
A much improved performance by the forwards began to tell as the Redruth
side looked very comfortable and added to their score with a penalty by Reed
at the start of the second half.

This was quickly followed by a second try for Murray as the reds took a iron
grip and finally killed the match with a second try for left wing Leigh
Isaacs.

This heralded mass substitutions as the reds gave some of the younger
members of the squad valuable big match experience.

Truro eventually managed a score after a attacking chip kick in the Truro 22
by Redruth fell in the hand of a Truro wing who sprinted the length of the
pitch for what was a consolation score. Truro were fortunate to add to this
in the closing seconds after a catch and drive went over in the corner to
flatter the score on what had been the reds afternoon.

Redruth Scorers:

Tries –
Leigh Isaacs 2,
Scott Murray 2.

Conversion and Penalty Chevy Reed

Redruth Squad-
Adam Harris, Scott Murray, Jack Williams Mark Jenkin, Leigh Isaacs, Chevy
Reed, Ashley Hosking, Tom Duncan,Tom Simmons, James Hitchens, Adam Lewarne,
Ben Jenkins, Tom Bryant, Daniel Nevitt, Adam Strick. Replacements all used
Will Nankervis, Ben Stevens, Jimmy Stevens, Ben Noyce, Simon Richards, James
Williams,
Simon Bonner.

This week the Colts Under 17s have a play off for the final of the Under 17s
merit table against Camborne on Friday 7.15 at Camborne – Hayle pitch unfit.
On Saturday the Under 18s play Penryn in the Under 18 cup at Redruth 1.30pm.

MINI JUNIOR TEAMS WANTED

Redruth RFC are looking for mini or primary school rugby teams to come and join in the fun on match days at The Recreation Ground. Your youngsters will get to play at half-time in front of around 1000 people (hopefully!) and then meet the first team for a photo or two after the main game. We’ll also throw in a snack and drink for all of the players and 10 complimentary tickets (parking, and grandstand) for accompanying adults. All in all you’ll have a great day.

Dates left for this season are saturdays 15th March, 12th April & 26th April.

If you would like your team to get involved, pease get in touch with Andy at redruth.minis@hotmail.co.uk and we’ll look forward to giving your youngsters (and you) a day to remember at Redruth RFC – Home of The Reds!

Whilst there are many happy things to talk about this week, I start on a much sadder note. On behalf of the players and management team and, indeed the whole club, I offer our sincere condolences to Phil Olds and his family following the passing of his Dad Mel. Mel typified a true Reds supporter and hardly ever missed a home match, in fact he was due to of travelled to Blackheath on Saturday to cheer the boys on. I will remember Mel as a person, who no matter what happened on the field be it a win or loss, would always have a word of encouragement for you after the game. There was always a conversation with him and Dave Keverne following games as they enjoyed the social side together.

I don

Redruth under 9s V Wadebridge under 9s

Sunday morning, basked in warm sunshine, on the main pitch – the perfect ingredients for a good game of rugby – or two as the case may be.

After a number of weeks without a game the reds played one of their best games of the season with determined tackling, running and ball retention in contact. Right from the start the reds attack was relentless with phase after phase of possession leading to tries being scored. Every time that Wadebridge had possession they were driven backwards and harassed until the Reds retained possession.

The boys never let up the pressure which led to a half time the score of 40 points to 5 in favour of Redruth.

The second half saw both teams rotate their players with Redruth continuing to keep the pressure on a Wadebridge team that never gave up and stoutly defended their line on more than one occasion when the Reds looked like they would score.

Final score Redruth 55 Wadebridge 5.

This was another team performance with aggressive defence, powerful running, excellent ball retention and recycling against a team that never gave up. Once again it was our teamwork and the commitment of each player that won the day, not the performance of any one individual.

Redruth under 9s V St Agnes under 9/10s

After a 15 minute break the boys faced up to their second match playing against a mixed age St Agnes team.

This match was a far tighter affair with the experience and age of St Agnes matching the flair and determination of the reds. For a long period the match was tied 5 points all as each side vied to gain superiority over the other. Hard runs and determined tackling by both teams epitomised the first half with neither team willing to give way.

As the game went on the confidence of the reds increased and the stalemate was broken with a series of tries over the second half with a final score of

Redruth 25 St Agnes 5.

Again a fantastic all round team performance by the reds.

Whilst both matches were a team effort the following players stood out. Connor Gilbert for excellent tries and defence, Henry Eddy for his all round tenacity, Sam Richards, Bradley Rowe and Ryan Daughtery for some excellent runs and team play, Jack Hitchens for some powerful straight running, Ciaran Hicks for his support play and Dominic Goodwin, for aggressive tackling, strong running and ensuring ball retention in the tackle.

A big thank-you to both Wadebridge and St Agnes for the excellent spirit that both games were played in – a credit to rugby.

The Redruth team consisted of the following: Henry Eddy, Sam Richards, Connor Gilbert, Ciaran Hicks, Connor Aim, Bradley Rowe, Oliver Britland, Jack Hitchens, Robbie Simmons, Jack Morrison, Harry Whinney, Ryan Daughtery, Samuel Bull and Dominic Goodwin

A young and inexperienced Reds Development side were overwhelmed by a strong and very experienced Exeter second-string in this friendly encounter played on Sunday afternoon in dazzling winter sunshine.

A try from back row Ben Fox converted by Brett Rule was all the scoreboard showed for the home team as the visitors rattled in 14 tries with 9 converted.

Exeter featured returning from injury Kiwi flanker Tony Walker, fly-half Adam Staniforth, full-back Gary Kingdom, as well as stalwart back-row Gary Willis amongst others.

A decent Sunday lunchtime crowd of about 150 enjoyed the afternoon and no doubt watching Exeter Head Coach Pete Drewett could draw some comfort from this match to cap a fine weekend for the Sandy Park side.

Wadebridge and St Agnes both visited the Recreation Ground to play the Under 11′s

The first game was Redruth against Wadebridge and the young reds were slow to get going and the pressure was all coming from the visitors however an interception try was scored by Perran G who missed the conversion. Wadebridge came back with a pushover try that was converted. Big Harry was unlucky not to score after a good move from a line out but he ran over the dead ball line. Zennor scored the winning try after a quick break from a scrum. Harry C converted this try.

Final score

Redruth 12 Wadebridge 7.

There then followed a game between St Agnes and Wadebridge with the winners being St Agnes.

Final score

St Agnes 14 Wadebridge 0.

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The last game saw the reds take on St Agnes. The game went from end to end but in the end a breakaway try by St Agnes saw them win. St Agnes have improved dramatically since the last time we played them earlier on in the season.

Final score.

Reds 0 St Agnes 7.

Many thanks to both Wadebridge and St Agnes for coming down to Redruth today.

Chris Jose.

Redruth recorded their first victory at Blackheath since October 2001 in a tremendous game that kept a large crowd entertained and enthralled right up until the final whistle. For the Reds, 13 out of 15 league points in January must be satisfying as they strive to pull clear of the relegation zone.

A change of routine in the pre match build up paid dividends for Redruth as they clocked up a memorable and well deserved win at Blackheath.

A smiling Redruth Head Coach Nigel Hambly beamed

What a great game on Saturday and much respect to both sides….also a very frank and complimentary write up from Cambridge journalist Steve Jackson. All in all there was not a sign of any repercussions of anything that happened in the past. I thought the crowd were brilliant and were equally giving the respect that both teams deserved. It”s always a great shame when teams have to leave so quickly after a game, but I am sure Shanners and his boys had a great night out in Exeter.

The 4 points gained were much needed and we did waste 2 or 3 opportunities to snatch the bonus point. BUT there is no need to dwell on that, we have a huge game this weekend at Blackheath and it’s one where we could really do with coming away with something. It’s brilliant that there is a coach load of supporters travelling and I hope you make yourselves heard in what is bound to be a bumper crowd.

Back to last Sunday for a moment and to one of the classiest sayings I have ever heard!!!!! We were busy preparing the pitch for the game to go ahead when one of the helpers, who shall remain nameless, proceeded to break 2 pitch forks in his endeavours to spike the pitch. In a very deep gruff Cornish voice came that immortal saying ” Christ boy you are like a one leeged man in an ass kicking competition”!!!!!! .. well I slashed myself as did all those within hearing distance ….. the challenge for you is to guess who that was??? I’ll get Jeff Knuckey to include the question in his next quiz!!

Whilst on pitch preparation, many thanks to Jason Luke, Phil Sinclair and Kathryn Pitt who marked the pitch at very late notice on Saturday …it was much appreciated.

Commiserations to the Colts who have bowed out of this years National Knock Out Cup following their 16 – 8 defeat at Oldfield. Oldfield is a club on the outskirts of Bath and have a number of players who are part of the Bath Academy. Simon must now concentrate on the County Competitions to see if his boys can retain those trophies.

Many thanks to Frank Butler and Bath who have helped us out enormously with the provision of Luke Cozens to cover the injured Gareth Griffiths. Luke was an England Under 20 international last season and has been playing for Lansdowne in Ireland as well as the Bath Guiness A League side.

The international season is just around the corner and nearly time for my crap predictions again. The first weekend sees England take on Wales at Twickenham, Italy travelling to Croke Park, on the 2nd February, to play Ireland and France travelling to Murrayfield on Sunday 3rd February. My instincts at this stage point to home wins for England and Ireland and an away win for France.

On the National Rugby front, I see that Jonny Wilkinson has committed his future to Newcastle Falcons. This follows much hype about Leicester Tigers tracking him and my prediction that he could end up at Bristol! Elsewhere, in our league, Stourbridge are in a rich vein of form and are looking more like promotion candidates by the game. My money is on them and Otley to make the step to National 1.

Below, it looks pretty definite that Tynedale will be making the step up and either Mounts Bay or Cinderford. Whichever one out of these 2 that win the league, the other will figure in the Play Offs and I reckon they will win that. Coming down from National 1, well it looks like Pertemps and Cornish All Blacks at this stage, but that is not over by a long shot.Interesting stuff over the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Malcolm Hearn from the Reds Under 16′s who has made the final England Schools Trial at his age group. Also congratulations to Jimmy Stevens who is involved in the England Under 18′s set up.

It was good to see Nick Croker on Saturday with his lads from his school in Qatar. I believe they enjoyed their day at the club and had their photos done with the team after the game. They leave the country on Thursday and we all wish them a safe journey.

Heard from (Matt)Stearny this week and he sends his best regards from “down under”. I am glad the weather is good there mate, its been bloody smashing it down here and has been very miserable. Hopefully our summer will be better than last and we get some good weather … take care and will be in touch soon.

So that’s about it for this week, sorry its a bit late and it is 11:30pm on Tuesday night now, will try to be earlier next week…..

Oh yes I forgot ….. shame you couldn’t make it this week Kim, your brother said you were not allowed! He had a great time and we treated him to yet more free food!!!!!!! See you soon mate.

Cheers for now

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby

After the euphoria of last season there was a

Redruth under 14s make the next round of the cup.

After such a lot of rain the Reds were expecting a call to say the match was off at Polson Bridge .as Launceston hosted the first round of the cup.

It was muddy but a lot better than expected.
A very hard fought first half taking both teams a while to find their feet. Eventually the Reds got a break and managed to score.

Second half saw the Reds get more on top of the game.

Final score Launceston 0 Redruth 33.
Thanks to Launceston for their hospitality and good luck in their next round .