Redruth 11 Newquay 5

It was a real tough game with both sides defending well. Redruth went into a 3 – 0 half time lead thanks to a penalty goal by Aaron Penberthy. Newquay went in front early in the second half with a try. It was left until the last 10 minutes for Redruth to sneak into the lead with a well taken drop goal by Aaron Penberthy. Shortly after this, following some good play play from skipper Kieron Thomas and John Ibbott, Aaron Penberthy was on hand to score the vital try that gave the Reds victory. During the last 6 or 7 minutes the Reds defended and tackled everything that moved with Ben Drew outstanding ….

UNDER 7′s COACH REQUIRED.

I know next season may seem along way off but you can’t beat planning ahead. If anyone is interested in coaching the Under 7′s age group next season, or know of anyone who would be intrusted, could they please contact me, as Julian and myself will only be coaching the Under 8′s next season.

I will not leave you in the lurch, and will help out all I can, but I have learnt from this season and feel the best way forward is to concentrate on one side only. Please feel free to ring me for a chat at anytime.

Chris Sidwell.
01209-219091.

Redruth Colts have once again this season made a clean sweep in all Colts competitions.

The Under 18s beat Launceston 28-13 at Hayle on Sunday to pull off this magnificent achievement, beating their Cornish rivals by a margin of 3 tries to 1.

Redruth secured the Cornwall under 18s cup on a sunny Sunday evening at Hayle for the third year in a row. This win gives them a clean sweep of the Cornish competitions for the second successive season.

This was a match that the Champions never looked like losing. After last weeks victory in the under 19 competition, Redruth were expecting a backlash which never materialised from the Cornish All Blacks.

Launceston had first opportunity to push their nose in front when the Reds conceded a penalty about 30 metres out, but the normally reliable kicker Josh Coles pushed the chance wide.

Redruth responded with some strong forward play that was to prove the pattern for the game, resulting in the opening score for right wing Leigh Isaacs converted by Chevy Reed.

Redruth continued to mount pressure with strong lineout and scrum play as well as strong defence causing Launceston to make mistakes in all part of their game. Again the Redruth pack engineered a position for the Reds supporters’ Man of the match Chevy Reed to drop a goal to stretch the lead.

Launceston responded with a penalty goal from Coles to make the score 10 points to 3, only to concede a penalty – once again converted by Reed. The exchange of penalties continued making the half time score 13 points to 6 in favour of the Reds.

The match was sealed for the Redruth youngsters early in the second period when the organisers man of the match Adam Lewarne stretched the Redruth lead with a try.

Early in the second period, a penalty slotted by Reed increased the lead. A record winning margin looked to be a possibility when prop Ben Jenkins found himself over the try line after a Redruth maul.

But with mass changes to allow all the squad to have a run out, and some sympathetic refereeing, Launceston gained some momentum resulting in a score in the corner for Stevens Converted by Coles.

Redruth were denied a further score when the ever willing Tom Duncan went over but was adjudged to have lost control in scoring the try.

This was a convincing victory which ensures that the Redruth club still has a feed of quality players emerging for senior Rugby.

Redruth Scorers-

Tries – Leigh Isaacs,

Adam Lewarne,

Ben Jenkins.

Chevy Reed 2 Penalties 2 Conversions 1 drop goal.

Launceston – Try Stevens,

Coles 2 penalties 1 Conversion.

Redruth – Adam Harris, Leigh Isaacs, Jack Williams, Mark Jenkin, James Williams, Chevy Reed, Ashley Hosking, Ben Jenkins, Dan Nevitt, Adam Strick, James Hitchens capt, Adam Lewarne, Tom Simmons, Jimmy Stevens, Tom Duncan, Replacements Will Nankervis Tom Bryant, James Hood, James Chillman, Richard Kevern,Sam Newman, Simon Richards.

Referee- Mr Simon Lord – Cornwall RFU

As a result, Redruth are champions from 16s to 19s. And the Under 9s rounded off their season by winning at the Bath Festival on Sunday, conceding only one try throughout. Here is a very promising bunch of lads for the future.

More great news to start with this week

With Trevithick Day going on down the road in Camborne, Redruth in their end of season National League Two game against Nuneaton – which they won 39-16 – tried to create their own carnival atmosphere.

They did this, not just on the field, but also in the air, as the match ball arrived courtesy of a Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.

Off the field of play, 87-year-old Raymond Dunstan received the supporter of the year award, while prior to kick-off, PJ Gidlow was presented with the supporters’ player of the year shield. He then went on to produce a man-of-the-match performance to cap his well-merited award.

Nuneaton kicked off playing down the slope towards ‘Hell Fire corner’, and both sides looked to spread the ball wide on a warm, spring afternoon on a pitch well suited to running rugby.

Redruth gradually asserted themselves after the opening skirmishes with Gidlow, as always, right in the thick of the action, bursting through in midfield.

More fine play saw skipper Craig Bonds powering towards the Strawberry Lane corner narrowly failing to find Lewis Vinnicombe who had come across off his own wing.

It wasn’t long before Vinnicombe was again in the thick of the action, a concerted Redruth attack saw play switched through various phases, before Gidlow flipped a delicate lob pass to allow the winger to fly in for a try in the scoreboard corner after 13 minutes. Fly-half Gareth Griffiths was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Nuneaton looked to get back on level terms, but they were guilty of squandering promising positions. However, following a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to Nuneaton lock Ben Griffiths, Redruth took a firmer grip on the match with a second try.

Scrum-half Mark Richards found a good touch on the visitors’ 22 and, as Redruth snaffled the line-out, quick ball along the line saw Gidlow breach the defence to find the fast arriving Vinnicombe on hand to score his second try after 21 minutes, Griffiths this time converting.

Gidlow continued to catch the eye with his tremendous work rate all over the pitch. Redruth were soon in the visitors’ 22 again with a line-out up towards the scoreboard corner. As both sides fought for control of the ball, Redruth lock Neil Corin burst away to score a third try for the Cornish club after 26 minutes, Griffiths’ conversion attempt again failing.

With three tries in the bag, Redruth appeared to lift their foot off the gas as they allowed Nuneaton to score on the half-hour mark. The try came following some fine inter-passing among their forwards, which allowed loose-head prop Kevin Davis to cross and fly-half Rickie Aley added the conversion leaving Nuneaton just ten points adrift.

The Reds roared back downfield and another flowing move saw Vinnicombe taken out as he chipped for the corner. From the resultant penalty, Redruth looked to set up a catch-and-drive. The move, however, broke down when Nuneaton infringed in front of the posts allowing Griffiths to increase Redruth’s lead after 38 minutes with a penalty.

The score was 20-7 at half-time and the Reds were slow to settle after the break as Nuneaton pinched a couple of scores.

First there was a neatly taken drop-goal by Aley on 41 minutes, before the same player also kicked a penalty five minutes later.

Stirred into action, the home side broke forward through flanker Steve Wood, a revelation in recent matches, but with only No.8 Mark Bright in support the flanker was penalised for holding on.

Wood then had to go off with a blood injury to be replaced by Chris Fuca – and further disruption came for the Reds as lock Neil Corin earned a yellow card for entering at the side of a maul. Despite being a man down, though, Redruth increased their lead on 52 minutes as Gidlow followed up a charged-down kick from Nuneaton’s 22 to score the bonus-point try in the corner. Griffiths kicked a fine conversion to stretch the lead to 27-13.

Nuneaton kept plugging away and Aley reduced the deficit with another penalty after 69 minutes.

Redruth, though, were not in the mood for any party poopers, as Griffiths, well-served by Richards, showed a good turn of pace to score under the posts after 72 minutes and then convert his own try.

A sixth try came after 75 minutes scored down in Hell Fire corner by Bright with Gidlow once again in the action leading to the score. There was still time for the irrepressible Gidlow to line up his opposite number with a big hit to cap his fine all-around display.

Reflecting on the season as a whole after the match head coach Nigel Hambly felt the match summed up the season: “could have done better”.

His highlight of the season was the performance at Otley. Although that was a defeat, he was very proud of the character his side showed. The low point, the well-documented events at Cambridge.

Plans are already in hand for next season. Adrian Edwards is joining Redruth as team manager, which will lift some of the burden from Hambly’s shoulders allowing him to concentrate on the coaching side.

Although set to lose Rudolph Meredith, Hambly looks forward to welcoming back PJ Gidlow and Mark Bright next term.

REDRUTH U7′s at the BATH FESTIVAL.

Eight excited under 7′s turned up on Sunday at the Bath Mini Rugby Festival to find the Rec. bathed in sunshine, totally different to what had been forecast for the day. For six of the team it was to be their first time here, only Jordan S and William had played here the previous year.

With the gazebo erected and the players registered and booted up we eyed up the opposition as the first games got under way. With the boys fully warmed up we took on Corsham in our first game. As any coach will tell you it’s nice to get a win under your belt, and you never quite know how the team will play. It was close, but we emerged 5 – 4 winners with scores by James, William, Jordan and 2 from George.

As with anyone who knows the Bath Festival format it was straight into our second game with hardly a break, this time against a strong Bath ‘A’ side containing a certain Steve Ojomo’s son. A very close game saw the sides level 3 – 3 at half time with tries from Jordan and William(2). The second half was just as close as the first with the scores level at 5 – 5, but with the final play of the game Jordan made a strong run down the left wing only to be tagged just short of the line, but from nowhere came Declan at full speed to carry the move on only to be pushed on his backside by Master Ojomo when grounding the ball. ‘Knock on” shouted the ref, and blew for full time. #*##*** #### Shouted Chris, that was not to be the first poor decision of the day.
Anyway, the third game saw us play Winchester, with the knowledge of a draw would see us through. It was to be our best display of the day with a resounding win of 8 – 4. Tries were scored by Aaron(2), William(2) Jordan S(3), and Tom B. Off then to see if we had won the group or were second, we were second on tries scored, Bath had 19 we had 18, that last disallowed try against Bath could have cost us dearly as we were to play Bath ‘B’ in the semi final instead of Havant who had already lost one in the other group.

On to the semi final, Jordan won the toss and elected to start with the ball and we were soon 1 try up. This was to prove an extremely close game which I afraid to say the referee could not cope with as he looked totally out of his depth from start to finish, needless to say he was a Bath under 7′s coach. Fundamentals of the game of tag such as 3 seconds or 3 paces after being tagged with the ball, no diving for a try and no deliberate contact seemed to be totally ignored. I could go on but I won’t. The tries came thick and fast, we were two tries down when Jordan picked up the ball close to his own line, beat one man and sprinted, this time down the right wing, towards the try line only to be pushed two handed in the back sending him flying forwards on to the ground injuring his back and having to come off, nothing said by the ref but plenty by me. I sincerely apologise for my language, but emotions were running high at this stage of the game. It was not to be our day, the boys never gave up but we finally lost 10 – 11. Tries were scored by William, Jordan(2), Aaron, George and man of the match James Harris with (5).

Another rollercoaster of a day with a frustrating end, but Julian and I would like to pay tribute to a great bunch of boys who, if they stick together will one day win this elusive festival.
Well done one and all for a great season.

See you all on Sunday for our final game of the season.

Many thanks for all your support.
Chris.

Under 9s – Follow up County win with Bath Festival win

After their county exploits last weekend the under 9s had their second festival in successive weekends

The Reds Supporter of the Year has this season been awarded to life long fan Raymond Dunstan, 87 years young, and who has hardly missed a game since the 1930s. Always found by the boards near the posts at the Town End with son Keith, it’s an award more in recognition of the years than season – hardly a home game missed in over 70 years.

Raymond’s son Keith, another regular, and here pictured with Keith and Club President Derek Collins, adds:

Dad started going to Redruth with his father in 1930ish, accompanied by his Dad Sidney, who played and captained Carharrack in 1906.

The war years saw no rugby anywhere, but right after the war the home guard side took up the mantle for Redruth, when a drop goal was 4 points and the wings threw the ball into the lineout note the hookers. Dumping of a line out jumper was also allowed!

Memorable games include Redruth v Cardiff in 1946 or 1947 when Chips Howard kicked a penalty for Redruth but Cardiff kicked 2 penalties and won the game 6 to 3.

Also Redruth v Cardiff 1933 when dad remembers Freddy Rule playing and Redruth won.

Players of note include, Roy Jennings (for kicking) who played for the Lions but not for England. Dad says he could kick penalties from his own half and that’s with the old type of ball!

Dad also mentions Billy Phillips because he played against the All Blacks at Torquay and it is rumoured that they said he was the best forward they had played against that was not an international.

Harold Stevens from St.Ives who played centre wing or full back and was a 75% plus kicker but not from a long range kick like Jennings!

Dad reckons if Camborne won every game between Redruth and Camborne for the next 50 years Camborne would catch up!

Camborne and Redruth used to play 4 times a year the main games being the one out Camborne on Feast Day and in Redruth on Boxing. For the main 2 games 4,000 plus spectators came to watch the 2 sides. The other 2 games played as agreed in the season.

Well done Raymond, see you next season.

U’13s Sevens Festival at Redruth

The weather held out at Redruth on Sunday for the U 13′s Sevens Festival, with teams from Camborne,Helston,Falmouth,St Ives, Wadebridge, Newquay,Penzance, Saltash,Truro, Launceston, Liskeard,and the hosts Redruth competiting for the County title. After an excellent days rugby it was Penzance who came out on top beating Truro in the cup final, Redruth defeated Liskeard to take the plate. Congratulations to Penzance and thank you to all the other participants for giving the crowd an entertaining day.

Thanks must also go to those referees who volunteered and worked extremely hard all day, to keep what was a busy programme on schedule, thanks to MC Mark Bryant for keeping everyone well informed throughout the day and thanks to all the volunteers for their help on the day and thanks also to those who donated raffle prizes and baked cakes.

We were glad to hear that George from Saltash who the ambulance was called for is fine and our best wishes and a speedy recovery to Jack Oates from Redruth who was hurt in the plate final.

Our game against Blackheath on Saturday 3rd May will now be held at Camborne, many thanks to Camborne who have kindly offered to hold the fixture as we are unable to play at Redruth due to the Cornwall game.

Sunday 4th May see’s a touring Welsh side down for the final game of the season.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ENGLAND & REDS U16′s PROP MALCOLM HEARN FOR PRESENTING THE MEDALS AT THE 7′s FESTIVAL.

Thanks
Nigel

The under 11′s played at the Jack Simpkins memerorial festival at Bath on Sunday.

The first game was against Bradford on Avon. In a close game the Reds lost by a single try(5-0). The next game was against a team from Wales called Ystrad Mynach who had some very big lads playing for them. The Welsh scored the first try of the game but the Reds tried to get on the scoreboard but it wasn’t to be their day. A quick break by Joe saw a try saving tackle being made but the ball went forward in the tackle and a the try was disallowed. The Welsh side scored a further two tries despite the best efforts of the team(15-0).

The final game was against a well drilled Winchester side who had brushed aside the other teams with ease. The Reds took to the pitch to show what they could do and at half tome there was no score. Just after the break Winchester scored. It remained that way untill the last second when Winchester scored again(10-0). Even though we didn’t score, we watched as the Reds played some of their best rugby of the season and on another day things could of been different.

The highlight of the day must of been when Paul started a waterfight and ended up getting drenched. Serves you right!!!!

I know I said thank you on Sunday but I would like to Thank all those who attended.

Just some other results from the under 11′s from the last few weeks, I’m sorry to sat that I’ve lost my notes and i am unsure of the try scorers.

The Reds played a touring side from Taunton and were victorious by 6 converted tries to four.

Then in a rare Wednesday evening runout the team played the under 11′s from Blackheath, which is a club steeped in history. Three game were played during the evening with Blackheath winning each game 14-7. The last game saw two Barbarians team face each other, with each team being made up of half Reds and half Blackheath. The Reds won this match 10-0. It was a very enjoyable evening and our thanks go out to both Taunton and Blackheath.. In both of these fixtures the Reds again played some good rugby which hopefully we can build on for next season.

The Reds didn’t have a good day at the County Championship played at Newquay. On a day that was bitterly cold with the odd bit of snow falling as well the Reds lost the first game by 10-0 to St Austell. They the drew 5-5 with Lankilly/Fowey before beating Perranporth 6 tries to one.

Chris Jose