Dings Crusaders came to Redruth with a perfect 6 out of 6 record which included wins over top sides Clifton and Leicester Lions. After 18 mins they had conceded 4 converted tries as the Reds blew them away in a stunning display of 15 man rugby.
Although Dings pulled back to within 14 points at halt-time the Reds continued to have the better of affairs in the 2nd period running in a further 3 converted tries to the Crusaders 1.
All 20 players played their part and at the end Shaun Conway-Baker was unable to choose the man-of-the-match and awarded it to the entire team who were serenaded off the field to the sounds of ‘The Song of the Western Men (Trelawney)’ by the Cadgwith Singers.
Redruth kicked off playing down the slope and against the stiff breeze. A Dings line out maul was marching forwards on their 10 yard line when the long arms of Todd Prisk reached over to pick their pockets and come away with the ball, the Reds then pilled on the pressure, going through multiple phases before Ed Pascoe cut a great line to go over for the first try converted by Fraser Honey who was to have an immaculate day with the boot.
Just a few minutes later Jarrard Hayler burst through the midfield and took play into the Dings 22. The Reds did not let up and finally Todd Prisk went over for try no.2 on 8 mins.
A big Redruth scrum in their own half turned over possession and Fraser Honey kicked the ball deep into Dings territory. Dings lost the line out and then conceded a penalty which was duly kicked into the Piggy Lane corner and the Reds mauled over for a MacKenzie Oliver try.
Ed Pascoe took the restart and a perfectly timed pass saw Hayler break the line and make good ground which Prisk improved. The ball was spun back to Honey who put a kick behind the Dings backs which Dean Bonds pounced upon to run under the post for the bonus point try to the delight of the home faithful on 18 mins.
Dings are too good a side to get blown away completely and to their credit now started to back into the game. After 27 mins they got on the scoreboard, a scrum near the line was followed by multiple pick-an-goes before, cutting a great line, Bilton went over for a converted try.
Another Prisk steal from a Dings maul saw the Reds attack but a promising position was lost by a knock-on in midfield. Dings had the final word of the half when a driving maul was pulled down near the line and it was no surprise when the Penalty Try was awarded.
Playing with the slope Dings kicked off the second half with a chance to pull the game out of the fire, but the Reds had other ideas. Hayler made good ground from a retreating Redruth scrum in midfield and Dan Rutter got the Reds a line-out courtesy of a 50:22 kick.
This allowed the Reds to keep play in the Dings 22 for some time and a steal at a Dings ruck eventually saw prop Jess Tompsett go over for the Reds 5th try.
A Dean Bonds attempt at an interception almost saw him race clear for another but not much later a Honey penalty kick took play to the Dings 5 yard line. The maul almost went over but from near the line Hayler did the rest to notch up try no.6 on 55 mins.
For once the Reds let themselves down, failure to gather the kick-off was compounded by giving a way a penalty which was popped into Hellfire Corner. Redruth stemmed the tide but illegally and Tommy Phillips got a Yellow Card for his trouble. From the next line-out Dings mauled over for an unconverted try by Beer to make the score 42-19 on 59 mins. Whilst the win was probably out of Dings reach the bonus point was not. Redruth though were in no mood to let that happen.
Great defence from a Dings scrum only 10 yards our saw the Reds turnover the ball, Honey then put in the kick of the day taking play from the Reds 22 into the Dings 22. The line-out maul seemed to be held up but after consulting with his assistant, referee Max Weston awarded the try, Tommy Phillips getting the score. Redruth played out the remainder of the game deep in the visitors half to seal a famous victory.
Next week the Reds travel to Old Redcliffians looking to keep their good run going.
Pirates Keen to Put Up a Good Performance
