This week’s Player Profile is Nathan ‘Pumba’ Pascoe, finally back in
the action after a season troubled with injury. He talks about the
disappointment of losing to Launceston, gives a player’s take on the
promotion debate and looks ahead to tomorrow’s match against Blackheath.
As usual, the high-quality version of the interview is hosted at href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=D5uc_j3ZbVo&fmt=18">RugbyReds.

Redruth Colts have been drawn AT HOME to Ivybridge Colts in the 5th Round of the National Cup, the last 16 in effect.

Kick off 2.30 provisionally on Sunday February 15th.

Redruth Colts remarkable record in the Nation Colts cup continues as they moved into the last 16 of the Competition with a comfortable win against a game Amersham and Chiltern side at the Recreation ground on Sunday in front of a large crowd containing several visitors who travelled from Buckinghamshire to support their team.

The visitors, who never gave up the cause and hung in the game with great determination, rarely troubled the strong Redruth side. Two early tries by the home side, the first by their inspirational captain Tom Duncan who crashed over in Hellfire corner to set the pattern for the afternoon as he punched gaps in the Amersham defence time and again for his backs to run through. The second try was a typical solo effort by the lightening quick Tom Job. Both these scores converted by young under 17 Flyhalf Aaron Penberthy who kept a cool head all afternoon as he pulled the strings for the Reds.

Two further tries in the first period by young prop Malcolm Hearne and wing Adam Cope, making a welcome return after a year out for major knee surgery, meant the match was over as a contest by the break with the Reds leading by 24 points to nil.

The young Reds cruised through the second period giving the whole squad a run out, with three further scores including a try for Richie Kevern returning from a jaw injury and two for the very sharp Adam Harris who had a stand out game on the right wing.

Redruth finished worthy winners 41 points to 0 scoring seven tries with three conversions.

The draw for the last sixteen takes place on Tuesday afternoon where the Reds will be looking for another home draw as they continue their quest to win this competition, one that has brought them so much success over the last 10 years.

Redruth Scorers:

Tries – Tom Duncan, Tom Job, Adam Harris 2, Malcolm Hearne, Adam Cope, Richie Kevern

Conversions – Aaron Penberthy 2, Mark Jenkin.

Redruth team:

Tom Job, Adam Harris, Kieron Thomas, Richie Kevern, Adam Cope, Aaron Penberthy, Ashley Hosking, Tom Duncan (capt) Phil Hinchley, Adam Lewarne, James Teixeira, Kia Neville. Malcolm Hearne, Lewis Moyle, Will Nankervis.

Replacements all used.

Ben Jenkins, Peter Jenkin, Ben Gregor, Micheal Allen, Mark Jenkin, Sam Bristow, John Jackson.

What a good second half showing by Launceston on Saturday to take the spoils in our derby match. At half time I was optimistic and thought we could win, however a great team effort by our hosts gave them a thoroughly deserved win and take 4 points and for the first time this season we left with nothing!

A lot of people were disappointed and more than one person said to me that the defeat is acceptable because we don’t really want to go up anyway ….. that really annoys me, of course we want to go up, we have put an enormous amount of work into this season and it is still our aim to go for it, I admit, we have made it very difficult now for ourselves but this week will be a big week for all as we try to get things back together …. what you can all do is turn up in force on Saturday and give the boys a well earned lift …. please! Remember, we are still in pole position and the others have to catch us!

I have read on a few other websites details of players’, coaches’ and others’ weeks work …. so I thought it an idea to summarise my week:

Monday – up at 6:15am in order to drop my son at Truro College at 7:30am for his weights session. Big week for him this week with a Daily Mail Under 18′s Last 16 game against RGS High Wycombe on Wednesday and hopeful selection for the Colts National Cup match at the weekend. In work for 7:40am and a busy day ahead with team and management meetings for most of the day. Did Radio Cornwall interview of behalf of Rugby Club to highlight how the Credit Crunch is impacting on us all .. Left work at 5:25pm and get stuck in traffic trying to get onto main road. Following tea its up to the house for unpacking and clearing out …… no weights today!

Tuesday – home today in order to complete work’s operational questionnaire. This is not as easy as it sounds and takes most of the day. Make it to the dump at lunchtime to offload rubbish then its back to work. Bits and pieces to do at the house in the evening and chase around to find player’s kit for Saturday ….. no pool session today!

Wednesday – busy day on the road today with appointments in Exeter, Blackwood and Newport. Get caught up in the road closure of the A30 and A38 and miss my early appointment in Exeter. It takes nearly 6 hours to get to Blackwood! Do that job then travel to Newport, get lost on the docks but finally find my appointment. Get away from there only to hit all the traffic, get home at 9:50pm ….. needed to look at financial stuff for special rugby meeting tomorrow, get to bed very late ….. One good thing, Truro College win to progress to last 8 of competition and I missed the game …..only pool I am in today is one of “despair”!!

Thursday – work early with lots to do. Rugby meeting cancelled so that work last night not needed, but meeting now re-scheduled for Friday. Did interview with Pirate reference Saturday’s game. Lots of hassle today … Get away from work at 5:00pm and go to house, do bits and pieces and then go to rugby club. Sort a few burning issues there and home for tea …. weights and pool??? …. don’t think so!

Friday – early start and in work by 7:30am lot on my mind today mainly rugby and not “on the field stuff” …. times are getting hard and the situation is not great …. what can I do ? I know go to the gym or play on my X Box, that sounds good! Meet with a couple of people from Rugby Club and then a full Finance Meeting at lunchtime at work …. Don’t feel like doing much tonight to be honest but have to .. yes its another couple of units to put together….. getting nervous about tomorrow now ….

Saturday – bad nights sleep and up early … down to Tesco’s to sort food for rugby and then back home …. just want to get going now ….. its match day …… we lost wish the pool was close as I feel like drowning myself!!

Sunday …. Recovery session early on … yes from a hangover! Watch Colts destroy Amersham in the National Colts Cup to progress to the Last 16 and then a bit of a Super Sunday with some mates at the club …. good day!!

With all the talk about the RFU and PRL discussions over the last week, there have been some developments on the NCA front (National Clubs Association are the body that administer the National Leagues).

The ongoing role of the NCA within the hierarchy of the RFU seems to be diminishing and that is serious news for us. The NCA have worked incredibly hard to try to ensure that clubs at Level 3 and 4 are recognised as an integral part of the development of the game. It is definitely a good breeding ground for young players to learn their trades prior to hitting the big time. At last weeks meeting the RFU were represented by Martin Thomas, Francis Baron, Nick Eastwood, Paul Murphy (Chairman of Finance and Funding) and Terry Burwell.

The Strategic Plan for the ongoing development of the Elite game was discussed and there was refusal to include any reference to the role and purpose of the National Leagues saying that these were covered in the Landscape Survey, parts of which would be included in the final draft of the Strategic Plan.

As far as representation goes the RFU saw no need for NCA representation and said that it would call upon a member of a club from Levels 3 & 4 with the required expertise to sit on the Community Game Board, but this still has not had approval from the RFU Council. As for funding, well that’s is an epic in itself. The long and short of it is that club’s at our level will see a dramatic reduction.

At present clubs get in the region of

Redruth Colts remarkable record in the Nation Colts cup continued as they move into the last 16 of the Competition with a powerful displayed of rugby against Amersham and Chiltern at the Recreation ground on Sunday in front of a large crowd containing several visitors who travelled from Buckinghamshire to support the Amersham who rarely troubled the strong Redruth side.

Leading by 24points to nil at half time the young Reds cruised through the second period giving the whole squad a run out, fininshing worthy winners 41 points to 0 scoring seven tries with three conversions.

The draw for the last sixteen takes place on Tuesday afternoon where the Reds will be looking for another home draw. As they continue to try and win this competition that has brought them so much success over the last 10 years.

Redruth progressed to the last 16 with a comfortable home win against Buckinghamshire side Amersham & Chiltern.

Ashley Hosking sets up.

Scoring seven tries in the process and led from the front by inspirational captain Tom Duncan, there were some sterling performances from the young Reds side.

Tom Duncan scores the first try.

The draw is on Monday and Jim Trinder will report more later in the week.

I thought you had the ball

CORNISH All Blacks live to fight another day in the National Division
Two promotion race after this crucial Cornish derby victory at Polson
Bridge.

Defeat to leaders Redruth would have realistically ended the All
Blacks

Three sets of brand-new 2009 team posters have been produced by the Club and are now available.

Each one costs just 50p and can be bought from the Reds outlet at 89 Fore Street (at any time) or from the Club Shop on matchdays.

Each poster gives the opportunity for autographs in various ways as well.

Redruth Rugby Club would like to thank Stralfors, Cardrew Industrial Estate, Redruth, for their continued help in the printing of the posters.

Get yours now !

A love, sorry minibus, will be running to Westcome Park on Valentine’s Day, 14th February.

Please contact Cupid Geoff Sinclair, your driver, on 01209 216697 for more information. It’s a day trip probably leaving at 7am but the time is to be confirmed.

With Mounts Bay pulling out of the Cornwall Supercup, Redruth Development XV will now be playing a home fixture against Cornwall Under-20s on Sunday 22nd February.

More details nearer the time.