Phew, where do I start…… I don’t think I am far wrong when I say that Saturday’s performance at top of the table Otley was as good a performance that I have witnessed in the 6 seasons I have been doing this job.

I am still a bit numb to be honest as my emotions are still a mess! It has been a tough few weeks for both Nigel and I and I think everything pretty much came to a head on Saturday. The boys performance both on and off the field was nothing more than awesome!

Yes we lost, albeit in the 10th minute of injury time, but we all knew and most of Otley’s supporters agreed, that we were the best team and deserved to win. But that is sport for you and there are always going to be winners and losers, but we can hold our heads high and prepare for our next game which is a mouth watering clash with another promotion hopeful side, Manchester.

Unfortunately this game is not for another couple of weeks with yet another Saturday off!!!!!… but it gives bruised and battered bodies time to heal and hopefully all things will be good on April 12th.

To pick a “Reds” man of the match was virtually impossible as the whole team performed out of their skins. The tackle count was massive with everyone making a telling contribution, our backs looked composed and our kicking game was outstanding. It was also good that our travelling supporters got the reward they deserved with an outstanding team performance.

Whilst talking about our supporters, they were, yet again, brilliant. I keep harping on about it but you all make so much difference. The boys were choked when they arrived at the ground and all were waiting and cheering. I think everyone of them really feels the passion that you all display and I know they are all very proud to wear the red shirt ….. thank you from all of us for your rousing support and I sincerely hope you are able to go to Henley for our last away game … we need you there!!!!

Above photos courtesy Mr Derek Ladner’s mobile phone

Also there were 10 ex Red Colts in the 19 on Saturday … what a feat and can any other club in this league, or any other for that matter, match it?…they were Craig Bonds, Rob Thirlby, Paul Thirlby, Lewis Vinnicombe, Peter Joyce, Luke Collins, Nathan Pascoe, Ben Fox, Chris Fuca and Neil Corin. In some ways it was sad that we were not able to confirm our National 2 status for another season with a win, but Nuneaton beating Henley confirmed that we are still in the top 42! … a bit more about this later on……

The tickets for our Annual Awards Dinner are now on sale. It is back at the Penventon Park Hotel, on Friday 9th May at 7.30pm. Price

Cornwall were beaten by slightly the better side on a bright and breezy day at Redruth.

Cornwall playing towards the Camborne end had the first chance to score but a penalty attempt by McCarrel from 40 meters was well short. Devon then had most of the play and on 15 mins Lee cut through for a score near the posts, he converted his own try to make it 0 – 7 for Devon. Then on 20 mins following further Devon pressure Simmons was yellow carded for being offside. Devon took full advantage kicking the penalty to touch and going over through a catch and drive, Sangchi the scorer. Lee converted. 0 – 14 to Devon.

Cornwall managed to avoid further scores whist being down to 14 and then on 32 mins after a few lineout’s in the Devon 22 Andrew picked up from a ruck about 10 metres out and drove over the line brushing aside a few Devon tacklers on the way. McCarral converted to make it 7 – 14 to Devon. Cornwall were again on the attack in the Devon 22 in injury time when Devon got a penalty for foul play by Seymour, this allowed them to clear their lines. Seymour compounded this error a minute later by getting yellow carded for further foul play.

Half -Time: Cornwall 7 Devon 14

The second half was only 3 mins old when Devon again took advantage of Cornwalls lack of numbers and Sangchi (possibly the MOM) again scored from a catch and drive. Lee converted well from wide out. 7 – 21 to Devon. Play was fairly even when on 60 mins Winfield (Devon) was yellow carded for a technical offence near the Devon line.

Cornwall were now on the attack and a score looked possible but unfortunately some foul play by Andrew was spotted by the touch judge resulting in a yellow card and allowing Devon to clear their lines. On 73 mins Devon scored the best try of the match following a great run by Sangchi he linked with Bright who ran in under the posts, Lee converted to make it 7 – 28 to Devon. Cornwall showed some good spirit to come straight back with a score in the Piggy Lane corner, sorry I don’t know who by. The conversion against the elements was missed 12 – 28 to Devon.

Final Score: Cornwall 12 Devon 28

The best team won but Cornwall will rue their yellow cards for foul play which in the end may have cost the team the match.

Cornwall:

1.Andrew (Mounts Bay) 2.Taylor (St.Ives) 3.Skuse (Exeter) 4.Knight (Falmouth) 5.Penny (Hayle) 6.Morgan (Redruth) 7.Seymour (Mounts Bay) 8.Crousie (Wadebridge Camels) 9.Simmons (Redruth) 10.Kneal (Wadebridge Camels) 11.Peacock (Penryn) 12.Seviour (Penryn) 13.Rule (Redruth) 14.McCarral (Wadebridge Camels) 15.Bryant (Cheltnham North).

Reps – 16.Rashleigh (Mounts Bay) 17.Randlesome (Penryn) 18.Morris (Mounts Bay) 19.Nicholas (Mounts Bay) 20.Strick (Redruth).

An hour or so after Otley sneaked a win with a penalty in the 10th minute of injury time a relaxed Redruth head coach Nigel Hambly reflected

Colts Under 18s 42 Camborne U-18s 0

Redruth progressed to the Cornwall Cup Final next month after this emphatic semi-final win over their neighbours.

Tries – Jack Williams, Leigh Isaacs, James Williams, Tom Duncan, Richard Kevern, Ashley Hosking, Tom Simmons and Sam Newman. Conv – Chevy Reed.

Redruth Development 17 Bridgwater 2nds 12

A strong Reds side defeated a plucky Bridgwater side on a game played on a muddy “top pitch” at the Recreation Ground.

Redruth scored two tries – Matt Bowden and Chris Quick – with 2 conversions from Grant Thirlby and a penalty from Jason Pengilly.

Reds squad – Teixeira, Carne, Bowden, Meredith, McBride, Phillips, Hosking, Thirlby, Rule, Simmons, Pengilly, Greening, Gidlow, Taberer, Varney, Harvey, Tony Cook, Morgan, Priddey, Quick.

The late withdrawal by Camborne from the Easter programme left only the visit from Hertfordshire side Stevenage as preparation before the semi final of the Cornwall Colts Cup.

Stevenage proved to be worthy opponents and looked until the last 15 minutes as though they would pull off a victory on tour (Not something achieved by many sides).

The Reds huffed and puffed for a hour until they made a breakthrough. The home side went into overdrive to score three times in the last quarter to secure a victory that looked unlikely for a lot of the match. It was also played in extremely cold and almsot gale force winds.

Redruth scorers: Tries – Tom Bryant, Sam Newman and Nick Pannier (his first for the Club) with all three superbly converted by the mercurial Ashley Hosking.

Photos are on the gallery.

This Saturday sees the Semi Finals of the Cornwall Colts Cup with Redruth hosting Camborne at the Recreation ground at 2.30 and Perranporth at home to Launceston.

Camborne must be optimistic after their surprise win over Redruth on Boxing Day. But Redruth pick from a strong squad as they strive to retain the cup for a third season in a row. It should be a thriller sp please come alomg and support the boys – updates from Otley will be passed amongst the crowd no doubt.

Redruth Squad:

Leigh Isaacs,

Nick Pinniger,
Jack Williams,

Richard Kevern,

James Williams,
Simon Bonner,

Mark Jenkin,

Chevy Reed,

Sam Newman,

Scott Murray,

Simon Richards,

George Badcock,

Ashley Hosking,

Ben Noyce,

Tom Duncan,

Adam Lewarne,

Tom Simmons,

Daniel Nevitt,

James Hood,

James Hitchens,

James Chillman,

Ben Jenkins,

Peter Jenkins,

Jimmy Stevens,

Adam Strick,

Will Nankervis,

Tom Bryant.

After yet another weekend without league action, we must now prepare
ourselves for the difficult away trip to Otley this coming weekend. Otley
sit proudly at the top of the league but did lose on their last outing at
Stourbridge.

Their form at home this season has been outstanding with only
one loss against Stourbridge to report. If we can take some of our home form
with us for a change and get our heads right there is absolutely no reason
why cannot give them a game. I feel we were very unlucky at home to lose
especially when, in the last minute of the game, we should have been awarded
a penalty try! But those things happen and there is no need to dwell, we
must perform!

Also this weekend our supporters make their annual “weekend away” trip and
50 of them will be their giving their all. I recall last years turn out and
it was brilliant, especially the welcome that was given to the players as
they left the bus…..more of the same this time please!!!!!

Elsewhere in the league this weekend, Stourbridge travel to Manchester, and
this is also a very important game as both are in the title race with Otley!
It’s all hotting up at the top and likewise at the bottom!!! Wharfedale jump
a place above us again following their emphatic win over Westcombe Park.
There is still 17 points between us and Henley with each of us having to
play 4 games.

I am also very pleased to report that Adrian Edwards, currently Team Manager
at the Cornish Pirates, will be taking on the role of Academy Coach with
Redruth School and will be working with Redruth Rugby Club. “Spade” will
provide a huge amount of experience and knowledge that will benefit us both
on and off the field. Expect to hear a lot more about this in the near
future ……

The Development side, that did contain quite a few 1st XV players, had a
huge win against a very sporting Imperial Medics team on Good Friday. This
game, for the past few seasons, has been a fixture where a number of younger
players get an opportunity to show their promise. However, on this occasion,
and with no 1st XV fixture a number of players needed to have a run out
following injuries and knocks. It was one sided but the students gave their
all.

Also on Good Friday, the Under 16′s travelled to Camborne to play their
quarter final cup match and what a performance they put in! In very windy
conditions they won emphatically by 45 points to 7 …… it was really was
a very polished performance, their game management was very mature, their
set piece was solid and they moved the ball as and when the situation
dictated. This team are improving all the time and it bodes well for the
coming seasons. A number of the lads will also feature for the Under 17′s in
their forthcoming Cup Final against Wadebridge Camels. This was also ideal
preparation for boy’s tour to South Wales and Bristol which kicked off at
6:00am on Easter Saturday! ………………

This really does deserve a new paragraph, it really does!!! ….. The under
16′s tour was one that will not be forgotten in a hurry!

With no rugby
played, the boy’s plus a number of Dad’s, coaches and guests set off from
Redruth RFC at 6:00am on Easter Saturday with the Village Hotel Coryton
Cardiff as the destination. Following a breakfast stop at Okehampton, where
a number of tourists found homage in the “bogs” as they were breaking their
necks following the gallons of water that were drunk to aid hangovers gained
from Good Friday drinking!!!. Following check in it was a train to Cardiff
Central and then onwards to the Millennium Stadium to watch the EDF Semi
Finals between Wasps and Leicester and Saracens and The Ospreys.

The problem
was we had had such a traumatic journey that we had to seek refuge in the
Walkabout for an hour or so before the games … then it was out into the
cold, and was it bloody cold!!!!! The games were a bit disappointing to be
honest but The Ospreys were the standout team …. I can see them winning
this trophy and also being a good bet to win the Heineken Cup in May ….
With more than a dozen players who were part of the Welsh Grand Slam winning
side they will be a good bet!!

Anyway I think the boys enjoyed it dressed in
their pink and black rugby jerseys! We met a good guy there by the name of
Rupert Spencer-Buchanan …. So much so that he has agreed to come on board
at the club to help out and assist on match days …. He has a bit of a
background but nothing that conflicts with the club. Anyway Rupert latched
on for most of the trip and was pretty good entertainment.

Following a hefty
Saturday night, it was all systems go for the onward journey to Bristol and
the Memorial Stadium where we all watched the Bristol v Harlequins
game…this was bloody hard but the best side won without doubt … a few
more beers, a beautiful carvery at The Woolpack at junction 21 on the M5 and
a late arrival back at the club around midnight. The boys really enjoyed it,
as a Dad I think I speak for all and we certainly enjoyed it as did the
coaches, guests and of course Rupert!

I will be honest now, the trip was awesome, with some real characters making
it very memorable! There are some pictures on the gallery so have a look!

Malcolm Hearn gained his England cap at Under 16 level, when he played
against Wales last week. Many congratulations Malc and we all missed you on
tour ….. Glad that you will be back into the squad soon…

The Colts had a great home win against Stevenage, see Jim Trinder’s report on the Colts section – good luck on Saturday boys in the semi final.

Also, our Development side have a home game against Bridgwater 2nds on Saturday, kick off at 2.30pm.

My thanks to Neil Thomas in bringing the Brighton Under 13s down to play Redruth on Saturday. Brighton won 54-0, but it was a great morning I gather and thanks again and hope to see you all in the near future.

That’s about it for this week, there are only 3 games left after Saturday’s
journey to Otley. Manchester at home on the 12th April, Henley, away, on the
19th (and I believe there are coaches of supporters travelling to this), and
then Nuneaton at home on the last Saturday of the season, 26th April.

We are hoping to
do what we did last year, and invite the supporters onto the field after the
game to enjoy a beer with the players, get autographs and have photos with
their favourite players. Also I am sure there will be a lot of player issue
“off field” kit being given away, even mine, so you need to be there to get
it!

See a lot of you on Saturday and will be back here next week ….

Cheers

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby

Under 13′s
Redruth 0 – Brighton 54

Redruth were totally outplayed on Saturday against a well drilled touring side, containing a massive No 8, but also some very skilful players. From the kick off it was obvious the Reds were in for a hard morning, conceding a try in the first minute and for the next twenty the Reds competed well, but were second to the loose ball on too many occasions giving away vital possession. The reds were unlucky to be 17 – 0 down at the break, making two silly mistakes both pounced upon by the Brighton flankers to score tries. The visitors made several changes at half time, but the Reds failed to capitalise, in fact to the disappointment of everyone they totally gave in, leaking 37 points to record their worst ever defeat.

The difference between the two sides was not the individual skill level, but the total commitment and work ethic of the visitors, something the Reds are going to have to learn very quickly if we are to have any chance of beating Penzance in the County Final.

Thanks to Kevin for refereeing, it was good to see him fit again. Thanks to Carl and Neil for bringing their team down this weekend, we hope they enjoyed their stay.

Nigel

On a cold and blustery Good Friday morn, old rivals Redruth and Camborne met in the quarter finals of the Cornwall Cup at Crane Park.
Due to post damage this match was played on Camborne/Pirates match pitch, which was loking in superb condition. The playing elements were to be testing for both sides.

During the first 10 minutes of the game it was nip and tuck on both sides, Sam Matavesi leading the Cherry and White from the front, looking dangerous whenever he got the ball. The Reds for their part had ‘turned-up’ and were switched on for this encounter, Ben Gregor and Kieran Lean looking very effective in the pack. Camborne defended every linout, but the Reds always made yards with effect mauling.

The Reds played into the stiff breeze and the slope but opened the scoring after 15 minutes, and from that point took hold of the match.

Aaron Penberthy was effective with the boot especially in the second half, piercing the Cherries defence with some lovely balls behing their defence. Kieran Thomas, was always dangerous, and when given space made hard yards.

Final score was 45-7 to the Reds, who on the day were the better side, although congratulations must go to a spirted Cherries squad.

Redruth head coach Nigel Hambly took the opportunity to turn the traditional Good Friday fixture against the Medics (formerly St. Mary’s Hospital) in to a training match by starting with 8 of the side that played against Halifax last weekend.

The busiest man in the ground was scoreboard operator Peter Bosanko as Redruth rattled up 6 tries in the opening 10 minutes. Lewis Vinnicombe and Neil Corin both put themselves in to contention for next week’s trip to league leaders Otley by touching down a hat-trick of tries.

Redruth scored 17 tries in the 55 minutes play, with 13 conversions.

The students, who always played with great spirit, got a well-deserved consolation try through fly-half Simon Bellringer just before the interval.

Referee Al Denham was very fair in playing only 30 minutes in the first half and bringing the second period to a halt after 25. That meant Redruth had averaged 2 points for every minute played in the game.

Redruth Development manager Dave Wetherelt made his 20th consecutive appearance against the Medics when he came on with 10 minutes to play.

No injuries to report, and all eyes on Otley next weekend, with at least 60 supporters making the trip to Yorkshire to turn the Dales red.

Redruth scorers – tries: Corin 3, Vinnicombe 3, Meredith 2, Simmons 2, Hosking, Bonds, N.Pascoe, Fuca, Wood, Bowden, Kenward.

Conversions – Grant Thirlby 9 and Brett Rule 4.

Redruth – Bonds, Vinnicombe, Meredith, Kenward, Bowden, Thirlby, Pascoe: Jacques, M Gidlow, Joyce, Pascoe (C), Corin, Wood, Fuca, Fox. Reps – Hosking, Pengilly, Rule, Priddey, Taberer, Simmons, Wetherelt, Varney.

A good win against Halifax and a very valuable 5 points gained was the outcome of our 22nd game of this campaign. Halifax, already relegated, are a very proud club and we all wish Rhys and his team the very best of luck and hope they get themselves back together and be in the promotion race next season. We scored 6 tries and I suppose you have to be happy with that, but there were too many situations where either the ball was lost or passes went astray. In a game where the opposition is a little stronger we would be punished! Lots to work on in training in preparation for our trip to Otley. Ben Fox made his full debut and did very well as did Steve Wood.

Damien Cook picked up a nasty ligament injury but our hopes are high that he will be back before the end of the season. Thank you to those of you who came on Saturday spurning the chance to watch England on TV