Blackheath 14 Redruth 18

BLACKHEATH 14 pts REDRUTH 18

Ed Bawden reports:

Redruth hauled themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time this season with a tremendous performance full of hunger and desire in a nerve wrecking finale in south east London.

 With 6 minutes to go a well struck penalty from the right hand touchline by Aaron Penberthy put the reds 4 points ahead, after this Blackheath laid siege to the reds line and seemed certain to score with a series of pick and drives that tested the reds will to the limit and Matt Carley’s final whistle brought huge relief for reds supporters who could hardly look in the closing stages.

 Despite heavy rain in London on Friday the Rectory field, as always, was in good condition,  Redruth playing into the wind opened with confidence built on the win over Launceston before Christmas.

 On the day every man did his job in a Redruth side showing great spirit, with the Reds front row of Darren Jacques, Richard Brown and Peter Joyce having dominant games while Penberthy but over vital kicks at crucial times.

 Paul Humphries was just wide with a penalty after 7 minutes but put over a kick from 35 meters a minute later while Penberthy levelled for the reds after 10 minutes.

 After Redruth were caught with their hands in a ruck in front of the posts Humphries put over a second penalty after 12 minutes.

 Using the wind Blackheath had the better of play for a long period. Ralph Smith looked a good full back and Junior Jope was difficult to put down with surging runs amongst the forwards. Tyson Lewis was pushed into touch in goal and James Stephenson was in the clear but for an earlier pass in the move was forward as the reds defence was stretched for a long period of time but they did not crack.

 A third Humphries penalty after 28 minutes saw Blackheath take a 9-3 lead into the break for oranges.

 At the start of the second half Steve Wood scored a tremendous individual try as he bashed his way through the Blackheath fringe defence from 5 yards out to cut the gap to a point.

 Wood had to go off with an injury soon after but the reds were fortunate to have the ideal replacement in Chris Fuca.

 Midway through the second period after a mistake by Mark Richards handed the initiave back to the hosts and following some work on the blind side by Jack Walsh Stephenson raced away to touchdown an unconverted try in the right hand corner.

 In the final quarter Redruth started to get on top and a powerful catch and drive saw Brown touchdown a try to complete a memorable game for the hooker. Penberthy showed ice cool nerves to convert to put the Cornishmen in front for the first time after 72 minutes.

Penberthy’s penalty set up a grandstand finish, the crowd urged the home side on, Redruth mettle was severely tested but not broken as skipper Mark Bright led his side to an important win.

 Blackheath

Try: Stephenson

Pen: Humphries 3

R Smith; J Stephenson, R Windsor (Capt) (Rep S Windsor h-t), P Humphries, T Lewis (Rep R Lankshear 75 Min); M Vaughan, J Walsh; J Cleverly (Rep S Legg 52 Min) J Knight (Rep H Allen 55 Min), D Brett, R Cook, A Vanner, R Paddick, J Catt Rep J Harris 75 Min) , L Jope

Redruth

Tries: Wood, Brown

Con: Penberthy

Pen: Penberthy 2

P Thirlby; L Vinnicombe, S Parsons, N Pedley (Rep S Hawkey 66 Min), M Bowden; A Penberthy, M Richards (Rep N Simmons 72 Min); D Jacques, R Brown (Rep M Gidlow 75 Min), P Joyce, D Cook, L Collins, S Wood (Rep C Fuca 48 Min), O Hambly, M Bright (Capt)

Ref: Matthew Carley (RFU)