The Reds signed off their first National Two campaign on Saturday with a 4 try to 2 defeat at Grassington, home of Wharfedale, who themselves achieved a highly commendable League finish in 5th place, and for whom this was their fifth win in a row. ( Their highest was a few seasons back ending in third spot just behind Otley and Birmingham ).

Far from a dull end of season nothing to play for game, Redruth played well, continuing the recent trend of good performances not being matched by points on the board. Well done to Nathan Pedley for scoring his first of the season, whilst Darren Jacques added the other. As much as winning is a habit for Wharfedale, losing has become almost a serious one for Redruth, who have now not won a league fixture since February 18th home to Halifax.

The Reds did finish the game strongly, never gave up, but a long, hard season has taken its toll, and for those not involved with Cornwall in May, a welcome break is just what the doctor ordered.

Redruth side at Wharfedale: Churcher, McBride, Bonds (c), Gidlow ( Blandford 72 ), Pedley, Donald, Richards, Jacgues, Harrison ( Navin 70 ), Heard
( Joyce 70 ), Carroll, Cook, Mann ( Pascoe 60 ), Hosking, Goodwin.

Wharfedale press Officer Chris Ellwood commented on the fantastic support Redruth brought to the Dales, a true credit to the Club.

That means a tenth place League finish, one which, in all honesty, the Club would have taken back in September. The worry is that only 4 league points out of a possible 40 speaks volumes, and leaves much close season work to be done before First team training resumes in July. It’s the worst slump for at least six seasons, but with a 4 month gap before a ball is kicked in anger again, National Two rugby will again be played at the Recreation ground.

Watch this space for major news in the next few weeks !

Sadly, the under-19s failed to make it the hat-trick of Colts Championships, going down heartbreakingly by one point at Launceston.

The Touch Rugby season at Redruth School begins on Sunday week, 7 May, at Redruth School. It will run on every Sunday throughout the Summer from 11am-12.30, and EVERYONE OF ALL AGES IS WELCOME. You don’t have to be a player to join in, it’s a fun way to keep fit, please contact Simon Blake for more details on Redruth ( 01209 ) 215401.

This is getting a bit of a habit now

The Supporters Player of the Year shield was presented to James Mann by Bert Viner, Secretary of the Supporters Club, before the game against Waterloo.

Full report to follow, but early news has it that the Reds under 15′s have added the County 10 a side title to thier County Crown.
Played at Bodmin, a full report will be added as soon as I get it.
Well done all who took part.

Redruth Under-18s beat Wadebridge 21-0 at Hayle on Sunday. Three converted tries, some excellent defending ang a few eye-catching performances secured the win. This follows the Under-17s Cup Final victory recently, and leaves the Launceston v Redruth Under-19s Championship Final at Polson next Saturday April 29th, kick-off 12.15pm, as the remaining leg of what would be a memorable hat-trick. Good Luck and Well Done to all involved.

Below Paul Tiexiera’s try.

A good crowd of over 700 gathered in the bright Cornish sunshine to watch this first League encounter at Redruth between the Reds and already promoted Waterloo.

The Reds were led out by Sam Heard and Lewis Vinnicombe, making their final appearance at home in a Reds shirt. In addition, a superbly observed one-minute silence was held in memory of the recent passing of Ralph Blewett and Eddie Ball.

Before the game, Lewis Vinnicombe and John Navin helped in a Press shoot for the Bobby Moore 2006 Prostate Cancer Charity Appeal.

With a stiff breeze blowing towards the BandHut corner, favouring Waterloo in the first half,
Redruth kicked off down the slope towards HellFire Corner.

In the last home game of the season, supporters and players alike were hoping for a big reversal in fortunes after the recent long barren run. Waterloo brought down a side with a big pack and some speedy three quarters but Redruth made them fight all the way for the win. Waterloo opened the scoring when Captain Freeman Payne touched down after an excellent break by winger Jan Van Deventer.

Shortly after the Reds hit back, a good run by Nathan Pedley, was backed up by PJ Gidlow who scored the try for Gavin Donald to convert. On the half hour mark Steve Nutt put Waterloo in the lead again with a penalty. Half-time score Redruth 7 Waterloo 8.

Waterloo came out fighting and looking to make a fast start to the second period.
Van Deventer increased the Waterloo lead showing his pace scoring a try in Hellfire Corner and this was followed by Payne scoring his second try. Again, however, some of the Reds defence and tackling was all too half-hearted. Or non-existent. Redruth still showed plenty of spirit and Marek Churcher reduced the arrears with a well taken try.

Suddenly, a grandstand finish looked on the cards, and a losing bonus point was in the bag at least. However, Waterloo

I suppose disappointment and frustration, and in some ways, disbelief are
adequate words to describe my feelings following Wednesday’s Cornwall County
Cup Final.

I am not arguing the fact that Lanson are County Cup winners
because they are, because they scored more points than us on the night. What
I am disappointed etc about is the manner in which the game was controlled
and that consistency was non existing. Yes we gave away a huge number of
penalties, 19 I am told, and were punished for our indiscretions, but if our
19 offences were punished there were at least a dozen that went unpunished
from Lanson. The ruck area was poorly controlled by the Ref and there were
a couple incidents of foul play that went unpunished…..But I could moan
forever, what’s the point, it’s over now and I offer my congratulations to
Chris, Jon and the team on their achievement.

I was disappointed to read comments about the reaction of some of our fans
after the game and the allegations that the Ref was “man handled”. No such
complaint has been received from the Ref, and I have heard nothing from the
CRFU, so I assume these comments are unfounded.

On the home front, I was very disappointed to see the turnout at the club
when the team returned! To Scott and Ralph, thank you!! It’s amazing what 12
months can do, everyone wanting to jump onto the bandwagon when we are
winning, no one around when we are losing!

I hope it’s a trend that will
change. These guys have worked their “balls” off this year, they have taken
knocks and played through the pain barrier on many occasions. Also, don’t
forget these are the same group of guys that took us to 4th position in the
league, got us into the 6th Round of the Powergen Trophy and have played
with incredible pride and passion throughout the season. Now is the time
they need your support more than ever, so please be there on Saturday and
give it your all!

As you will have “heard” by now, Lewis Vinnicombe and Sam Heard are moving to
the Cornish Pirates next season. Both players go with both Nigel’s and my
blessing. In fact we are very proud that these 2 guys have achieved this
recognition as full time pros. Both have been an integral part of our
success over the last 4 seasons and will be missed both on and off the
field. I know we will keep in touch and I have said to both that they will
always be welcome back at Redruth at any time. They are both great lads and
I hope they both achieve great success in the future.

This weekend we entertain Waterloo, and this will be a huge game for us.
It’s our last home match of the season, we desperately want to give our
supporters something to shout about, and we need to break this sequence of
not winning. Waterloo have secured promotion and I congratulate them on
that.

Over the Easter weekend, we had a couple of games at the club that enabled
us to use some of our younger players. Imperial Medics provided sound
opposition on Friday but the Reds won by 43-19. On Sunday Bath Academy
Manager Frank Butler brought a very good Bath Development side to the Rec.
The side included a number of players who have represented England at some
level or other this season as well as a number of players who have appeared for Bath
in the Premiership. The result was an emphatic win for Bath by 48-10, but
the guys who played gave it their all and defended and competed manfully
throughout the game..well done boys!

On Sunday our Under 18 Colts compete in the CRFU Knock Out Final at Hayle
with a 4:30pm kick off. Good luck to Simon and all the boys involved. The
following weekend the Under 19 Colts play Lanson in the U19′s Final at Polson Bridge, kick-off 12.15.

Finally, Ralph Blewett’s funeral takes place on Thursday at Penmount at
11:00am. Our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with Wendy, Lisa and
Hayley and the family. We will observe a minutes silence in Ralph’s memory
on Saturday at the Waterloo game.

Well that’s about it for now, I’ll be back next week…..

David Penberthy

Rugby Manager

Redruth gave a number of youngsters a run out in this squad game against a Bath United under twenty side. The Club thanks Frank Butler and John Palmer for bringing their exciting brand of rugby to RedrUth.

A useful Easter crowd of over 350 saw a Bath side with too much pace both in the forwards and outside – at least three players have Guinness Premiership experience this season, including both centres.

Although Redruth tackled manfully and competed well up front, Bath ran in four first half tries through fullback Nick Abendanon ( played against LLanelli and Northampton recently ), Ryan Davis, Pete Butler and Ian Davey, three converted by Luke Cozens to a solitary penalty for Redruth by Mark Scrivener. Bath chose to run the ball at every opportunity, no matter where they were on the park, which made for almost exhibition rugby at times. Halftime score Redruth 3 Bath United 26.

Speedy second row Johnny Faamatuainu scored two tries early in the second half for Bath before Redruth wing Ed Carne broke through to race in for a try, Steve Johns converting. Butler and Aaron Jarvis scored further tries for Bath to end an entertaining game. Fair play to Redruth, who played their part in one of the most open and stamina sapping games seen at the Rec this season.

Scorers
Redruth Try:- Ed Carne. Con:- Steve Johns. Pen:- Mark Scrivener.
Bath United Tries:- Nick Abendanon, Ryan Davis, Pete Butler 2, Ian Davey, Johnny Faamatuainu 2, Aaron Jarvis. Cons:- Luke Cozens 4.

Team
Redruth squad
S Kenward, E Carne, S Johns, H Blandford, A Kevern, J Pengilly, D Jacques, M Harper, P Joyce, L Collins, D Cook, J Navin, J Hosking, N Pascoe, A Rule, B Priddey, D Job, D Lumb, B Sidgewick, S Harrison, J Tresidder, A Thomas, C Fuca.

Referee:- D May