Leicester prove their dominance against Redruth

Leicester Lions showed why they are at the top of the league with a well deserved bonus point win over the Reds in a well contested, competitive match

Redruth had a single point lead at the interval however two converted tries early in the second half put the Lions in a strong position, while the Reds showing good spirit and passion they were left to rue their errors when they failed to cash in on line outs close to the Lions line and were held up over the line during a crucial spell in the middle of the second half.

A long distance penalty in the final ten minutes enabled the hosts to see the game out comfortably while Reds Todd Prisk was forced off the field with a nasty looking arm injury in the closing stages.

A minutes silence to mark Remembrance Day was observed prior to kick off, the Redruth side included seven “Red Jackets” in the pack while starting at full back was Oskar White on loan from Plymouth Albion and two confident catches of high balls in the opening minutes settled him into the game quickly.

On a mild day Redruth kicked off with the breeze at their backs and got off to a great start. With the Referee playing advantage good play from Ed Pascoe took play close to the line and Dan Rutter finished off with a try to the left of the posts, Fraser Honey’s conversion hitting the outside of the near upright after three minutes.

Further Redruth pressure created a good chance from a line out close to the line five minutes later but an unsympathetic pass saw the ball knocked on and in a slick length of the pitch counter attack saw Jamal Hamilton go over for a try that Ben Young converted.

Lions pressed for a long spell after this with Redruth defending well before an arching run on the blind side saw home scrum half James Stubbs go over for a try on 18 minutes converted by Young.

Redruth showed composure to come back, a charge down almost brought a try before Honey slotted a penalty from in front of the posts with 31 minutes played.

There was dome good driving mauls and good scrummaging from the Reds as they build a period of pressure with the interval looming a couple of line out chances were lost but a well worked set move saw Jack King break the line and Sam Stevens one of a number of Reds having a cracking game was pulled down by the cover just short of the line but Dean Bonds spotted his chance to pick up the loose ball and dive over near the posts, Honeys conversion on the stroke of half time putting the Reds ahead.

At the start of the second half Stubbs had plenty of room to go over on the blind side in the right hand corner with Young converting to assert the home teams lead.

A kick ahead had the Redruth defence opened up and Zac Beam went over for the bonus point try after 53 minutes, Young converting to open up a 13 point lead for his side.

The match looked to be going the home side’s way but Redruth got stuck in and a long spell of pressure kept the game alive but Lions showed their composure defending well to stop the Cornish crossing the line.

It was a day to remember for teenager Jarrod Hambly who came on at hooker in the final quarter to make his Reds debut; however Injuries in the closing minutes forced both Prisk and Lewis Thomas off the pitch.

Report provided by Ed Bawden.