Hinkley 31 V 25 Redruth

Reds go down to a bonus point defeat in the east midlands

A last minute drop goal from Fraser Honey gave Redruth the scant consolation of a losing bonus point for the long journey home from the Midlands.
This was a day of many frustrations for the Reds in a game where they led for most of the first half and much of the second period and were twice penalised close to the line in the second half when looking to consolidate their lead.

Royal Marine Ed Pascoe led Redruth for the first time with a side containing two loan players from the Cornish Pirates in Harry Bazalgette and Ollie White making their debuts, while former Wadebridge Camels scrum half Owen Wilson started for the first time. With Brad Howe and Tom Briggs dropping out during the warm up Redruth were fortunate that travelling reserves Luke Barnes and Adam Hall could take their places on the bench.

The Reds kicked off and were quickly into their stride Dean Bonds was rewarded for his persistence chasing a kick ahead by gathering the ball to set up a series of plays that ended with Will Trewin going over for an unconverted try after five minutes.
The home side were slow to settle and it was no surprise when following a series of pick and drive near the line Bear Williams went over a try that Fraser Honey converted with fifteen minutes on he clock.

With a stiff breeze at heir backs Hinckley started to disrupt the Reds and deny the visitors possession for a long period which culminated with a try for AJ Johnson after several phases of play Rory Vowles converting.

In what was to prove a crucial period of play just before half time Redruth lost Jess Tompsett and Lewis Thomas to yellow cards as Hinckley pounded the Reds line to snatch the lead with tries by Johnson and scrum half Ben Pointon, Vowles kicking two good conversions to give the home side a 21 to 12 advantage at the break.

The wind picked up at half time and their were dark clouds in the sky at Redruth got off to a good start to the second half with a try by Tommy Phillips converted by Honey, six minutes after the restart a penalty by Honey put the Reds a point ahead. There were a couple of chances for the reds to push on but they were denied as Hinckley’s forward effort got stronger as the game evolved with captain Alex Salt an influential figure.
Into the final quarter a penalty from Vowles put the home side in front to loud cheers from their supporters.

With time running out Salt went over for the bonus point try following a catch and drive play, Vowles conversion putting the home team in a winning position.

Deep into stoppage time with Hinckley a man down and the Referee playing advantage to the Reds Honey dropped a goal from in front of the posts to secure a bonus point.