Coaches are Full and tickets are being ordered, if you missed out dont worry they’ll have another one next year.

For the National Cup 4th Round match against the Old Patesians it was decided by Stevo “Rog” “Bullet Magnet” Daughtery that the U12′s provide ball boy cover as it was such a prestigious game.

We also heard through the grapevine that Dean Ryan (Former Gloucester Head Coach and England Player) was going to be at the game, never wanting to miss a trick Stevo arranged the ball boys so he could get near his hero !!!!!

Dean Ryan with the Ball Boys

Notice security being provided by ex Spetsnaz Soldier Chris “The Enforcer” Daughtery

The Colts won 10-9 much to the delight of the crowd.

I am sitting here reflecting on Saturday’s game once again and find it pretty hard to put into words what, exactly, I feel! The first half was ordinary to say the least, but the second half showed a marked improvement and we played with great spirit and tenacity but came away with nothing to show for it. If I am honest it didn’t look like we would ever get much out of the game. They are very well organised, their defence put us under enormous pressure, their set piece was dominant and generally they were a definite “Top of the Table” side. They had very good players especially in their pack, 2 very good wingmen and with former Saracens player Kevin Sorrell in midfield orchestrating things they are extremely potent. That said our second half showing was positive and we have to take something from that, we never lack spirit but that alone will not win matches. We will continue to play to the best of our ability and give it everything to ensure our safety but there are and have been times when we have to hold our hands up and say we are just not good enough to compete with some of the teams at this level. The club has done brilliantly over the years punch way above its weight but I will say it again … with quality players dropping down into this league the task and competitiveness has improved incredibly. Teams are benefitting hugely from Premiership clubs academies etc and it has to be good for the kudos of this league (perhaps the RFU should take a look and review their strategy of making it part of the Community game). Our situation is that we continue to bring players up into our team from our Colts and from other clubs locally. I wouldn’t have it any other way to be honest and I think that wherever our destiny is we will still maintain the true traditions of Redruth and that of rugby generally …. enough on that subject so let’s move on!!!!!

This weekend we face yet another trip on the road, this time to Macclesfield for the first of our re-arranged games from before Christmas. As far as I can recall we have only met on 1 previous occasion and that was that unforgettable day back in April 2005 when we were victors and took our place in the 3^rd tier of English Rugby. Surviving from that team are Darren Jacques, Damien Cook, Mark Richards, Paul Thirlby, Lewis Vinnicombe and Nathan Pedley. Neil Douch still plays for the Development side, Craig Bonds is now coaching the team and both Nathan Pascoe and Sam Heard are now playing for Penryn. Ben Priddey is at Camborne whilst Oscar Osula is part of the Management team associated with the Kenyan 7’s team. It was a great day and one that will stay with me forever…..

Yesterday was a good day … that is Sunday by the way …. went down to the newly refurbished St Rumons Club where former player Gary Wills is the Landlord. It was a belated celebration of “Ghost’s” 50^th but it was a great afternoon/evening! It was one of those day’s where you say you will only have a couple but end up having a “guts full” ….. good banter there with Sammy Mugford and Ged Wills as well …. it was nice to have a beer with Nigel as well as I haven’t seen him, believe it or not, since the London Scottish game …. good people good fun!

Briefly going back to the Barking game, saw Phil Tiddy there …. it’s one of those things isn’t it … had not seen him until a couple of weeks back for about 4 years now seen him twice in 2 weeks!!! Anyway I know you read this so it was good to see you again mate. Passed on your good wishes to Mum and she returns her thanks and best wishes ….

I mentioned a Colts Reunion last time out and that has taken a step forward … Dave Tresidder and I are going to get our heads together and come up with a list of players whom we think were involved with Colts teams from 1973 to 1976. What we plan to do then is to try and organise the reunion for one of the games near the end of the season …. I will start to post the list of players that we need to get hold of from next week so any help anyone can give to tracking those down would be great ….

Forgot the Pirates game was on TV yesterday and only caught the last five minutes but I gather they should of won the game after being 18 points clear at half time. I did see a bit of the Harlequins game against London Wasps which was played in Abu Dhabi … what a set up there!! I thought Conor O’Shea was very diplomatic when he said his players had a great time and that the preparation for the game was good despite the distractions over the past couple of days!!!!! … I bet there was!!

So the 6 Nations start this weekend with England’s game against Wales, in Cardiff, kicking things off on Friday night. This will be the last Friday night fixture in the 6 Nations as the feeling is that it has not been the success the organising committee had hoped for. I would say that is absolutely correct especially for shop owners and companies who normally benefit massively from the Saturday trade leading up to kick off …. time for me to pick my England side … this would be mine ……Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Shontayne Hape, Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto, Johnny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs, Andrew Sheridan, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Phil Dowson, Hendre Fourie and Nick Easter with Tindall captain …. I suppose Tom Wood will be in the mix and I am not sure if Cueto is fit (he hasn’t text me to let me know yet!!) and the result …..25 – 15 to England with Wilkinson kicking 2 drop goals minimum!!

People may have noticed my rant on Facebook on Friday night … it’s very very rare that I post anything there but boredom got the better of me I am afraid …. why is it when you want a bit of peace and quiet you never get it when you want it!! Anyway I will have plenty of time this week to reflect with many hours in the car …. again! I am fortunate to be local today (Monday) but am off to Blackwood (in the Valleys of Wales) tomorrow, back for meetings at the club tomorrow night, Felixstowe on Wednesday, Manchester on Thursday, Telford on Friday and then back to Cheadle Hulme Manchester to meet the players etc Friday night, Macclesfield on Saturday and then a nice drive home Saturday night …. lots of Starbuck’s and Costa Coffee this week!

That is about all for this week I think …. if anyone is venturing to Macclesfield, I hope to see you there!!

Cheers for now

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby

BARKING 30 pts REDRUTH 5

Ed Bawden reports from Goresbrook: 

League leaders Barking had a very comfortable bonus point win over a disappointing Redruth side in East London.

Trailing by 22 points at the interval Redruth were in disarray and some strong words in the dressing room at half time saw a more spirited second half performance that prevented Barking from running away with the game.

With the temperature just a degree or so above freezing, a bitter breeze gave Gale Street an artic feel in front of a small crowd.

It was a big day for Grant Thirlby starting a league game in the reds number 10 shirt for the first time and he was just off target with a penalty attempt in the 5^th minute as Redruth playing into the breeze got off to a solid start.

Top scorer Adam Armstrong gave Barking the lead after 14 minutes with a simple penalty after the reds came in at the side of a ruck.

The closest Redruth came to a score was a thrilling chip and chase by Matthew Bowden from deep in his own half, Armstrong conceding a 5 meter scrum.

A good run by Armstrong down the left hand touchline led to a try for Kevin Sorrell the former Saracens player after 23 minutes which Armstrong converted.

From the restart another sweeping move down the touchline saw the ball turned inside for Sean Flannery to touch down a good try that went unconverted.

Having an unusually tough day in the scrums Redruth struggled to cope with the dynamic and vibrant play of the home side, Sorrell was hugely influential in the centre and the Barking back row were winning the battles on the gain line.

A powerful driving maul ended with impressive prop Aaron Liffchak touching down a try 5 minutes before the interval that Armstrong converted. With Redruth struggling the break was a welcome relief.

Barking came out looking for the bonus point try stretching Redruth with some flowing moves in the first 5 minutes after the break.

Five successive penalties gave Redruth a grip on the game as they controlled procession for a period and Luke Collins took advantage to go over from a line out after 55 minutes to get the reds on the scoreboard.

Another long run down the touchline ended with Nick Fraser getting his 10^th try of the season in the 68^th minute, Armstrong was unable to convert but put over a penalty from in front of the posts with the last kick of the game to round off the scoring.

Barking

Tries: Sorrell, Flannery, Liffchak, Fraser

Con: Armstrong 2

Pen: Armstrong 2

 A Armstrong; D Vincent, S Flannery (Rep J Gash 57 Min), K Sorrell, N Fraser; H Owens, M Heeks (Rep H Staff 52 Min); A Liffchak, T Cobb, A MacKenzie, B Thomas, D Lloyd-Jones (Rep T Burns 73 Min), J Nagan, A Andrews (Rep T Burns 31-40 Min), J Kellard (Capt)

Reps Not Used J Owens, E Ambrose

 Redruth

Try: Collins

P Thirlby (Rep T Notman 69 Min); S Hawkey, S Parsons, S Kenward, M Bowden; G Thirlby (Rep A Penberthy 64 Min), N Simmons; D Jacques, M Gidlow (Rep R Brown 60 Min), P Joyce (Rep J Wright 73 Min), W Penny (Rep O Hambly 54 Min), L Collins, C Fuca, S Wood, M Bright (Capt)

Ref Paul Knowles (RFU)

Redruth Colts 10      Old Patesians Colts 9

Jim Trinder Reports:

Redruth colts maintain their very impressive record in the National colts cup after overcoming a dogged Old Pats side watched by former Gloucester and England forward Ben Ryan whose son Aaron was out to impress. In front of a very good crowd of around 300 on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
This was a match littered with errors, this and a lack of percision by the Reds youngsters allowed this to be a much closer encounter than was neccessary.
The early encounters set the pattern for the match, as the Redruth forwards set up a series of 5 metre scrums in the opening couple of minutes but failed to impress referee Ryan Cook that they had grounded the ball over the line.
some very determined defence by the visitors allowed them to breakfree of the stranglehold and set up their first attack which resulted in the Reds conceding a penalty which was well converted by flyhalf Leo Fielding.
Redruth were forced to shuffle thier pack when injury forced flanker Andrew Lean from the field. Redruth levelled the score in the 26th minute when fly half Aaron Myers dropped a goal after a Redruth attack appeared to be stalling.
The second half started very brightly for the reds, when outstanding forward Shaun Buzza carried the ball over for a try in the 45th minute converted by Myers to make the score 10 points to 3 to the home side.
This should have been the springboard that the young reds needed.
But they were unable to put their game together and were guilty of giving away to many soft penalties, as referee Mr Cook penalised the Reds, this allowed impressive Old Pats flyhalf Fielding to bring his side into the match as he converted penalty chances to set up a nail bitting finale. Perhaps Fielding will reflect on a missed opportunity in the closing minutes when he spurned a long range penalty chance to give his side the lead,instead opting for a touchline kick. But in the end the reds were good value and deserved this hard fought win, which sets up a trip to Richmond on the 13th Feb for the 5th round.

Teams Redruth,Graig Williams Capt,James Eddison,Robin Wedlake,Jack Churcher, Ben Drew, Aaron Myers, Brandon Roth, Luke Goldsworthy, Ben Gregor, Jack Drew, Mark Rayner,Shaun Buzza , Andrew Lean, Lewis Moyle, Mathew Bunt, Rep Steven Williams, Ryan Salisbury, Robbie Kessell, Ben Harris, Nathan Strick,Jack Kessell, Luke Johnson

Old Pats, A Ford, J Harris, H Walton, A Ryan, S Wilson, T Broom, T Foster, R Deary, J Day, L Fielding. M Webb,J Aherne, D Spurrier,
E Tickle, WHoltham, Rep, J Theo, T Amos, C Smith, A Mculy, J Smith,C Cresswell. 

Please help!

The message below comes from Denis Bennett of St Austell. Let’s hope we can get him back in his wife’s good books!

Last Sunday  (23rd Jan) I was at your ground taking photo’s of the Under 13′s match (St Austell). I was mostly behind the posts at the “Hell Fire Corner” end.

Whilst there it may be that I dropped my wedding ring as I was shaking my hands against the cold. I had it on when I came down and noticed it missing on my return home. I have been back to look for it, but I think it might just be possible, with a lot of luck and a following wind, that someone may have picked it up.

If it is not too much trouble, would you be able to put word around that if someone has picked up a large, plain gold band wedding ring, and if so, then ask them to get in contact with myself ? (details below)

It has great sentimental value as this May I will be celebrating 25 years married. As you can imagine my better half is not best pleased.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. and fingers crossed.

From.  Denis Bennett 

Tel :     01726  63707

Mob:    07907282417

Ed Bawden reports from “The Rock” Roehampton

ROSSLYN PARK 36 REDRUTH 23

Redruth put in a spirited display but fell off too many first up tackles in the first half as they were beaten by 5 tries to 3 in an entertaining game of Rugby in South West London.

A bonus for the reds was the play of Sean Hawkey who came into the side for Lewis Vinnicombe who is likely to be out for a while, Hawkey scored a good individual try in the first half and put in a number of bulldozing runs.

Aaron Penberthy kicked of for Redruth on a cold damp day as the reds with the wind dominated play having three penalties and a free kick in the Park 22 but came away without scoring in the opening 5 minutes.

John Rudd the former Premiership player for Wasps and Newcastle was stretchered off after 7  minutes but his replacement Mark Atkinson soon made his mark for Park.

Penberthy hammered a penalty from the half way line in the 9^th minute to put the reds ahead.

The hosts hit a couple of minutes later with Charlie Gower outstanding for Park cutting the defence for Atkinson to touch down a try that Ross Laidlaw converted from wide out on the left.

With the Reds missing too many first up tackles, Park had the space to play some attractive rugby with skipper Mark Lock and Gower prominent . Laidlaw kicking a simple penalty in the 18^th minute and converting a try by Mike Baxter 5 minutes later as Park went 14 points ahead.

Reds skipper Mark Bright snapped up a loose ball to gain possession and Hawkey cutting in off his wing ran strongly for 35 meters to touchdown under the bar for Penberthy to convert in the 29^th minute.

Full back Nev Edwards got a crucial try on the stroke of half time to send Park in with a 22-10 advantage.

Redruth started the second half well controlling the ball well Bright, Peter Joyce, Darren Jacques and Damien Cook all having their customary hard working games.

From a powerful scrum Nick Simmons was able to dart over for a try in the left hand corner 8 minutes after the restart.

When Penberthy put over a penalty 3 minutes later the Reds were in the game but a mistake trying to run out of defence conceded a scrum to Park and Lock stole away on the blind side to put Baxter over for his second try that Laidlaw converted from the touchline after 55 minutes.

A few minutes later Edwards brushed off a tackle to go over for a soft try, Laidlaw again adding the extras.

Redruth had the better of the last 10 minutes and a good play from Bright ended with Paul Thirlby crossing for an unconverted try in the right hand corner but the reds although showing good spirit were short of getting a bonus point.

Rosslyn Park

Tries: Baxter 2, Edwards 2, Atkinson

Con: Laidlaw 4

Pen Laidlaw

 N Edwards; J Strong, C Gower, C Lewis, J Rudd (Rep M Atkinson 7 Min), R Laidlaw, M Baxter (Rep J Holmes 69 Min); N Huggett (Rep S Millard 61 Min), B Gotting (Rep A Tauialo h-t), B Williams, H Quigley, S Pape, A Gates, J Barrett (Rep J Burton 49-55 Min) M Lock (Capt) (Rep J Burto 66 Min)

Redruth

Tries: Hawkey, Simmons, Thirlby

Con: Penberthy

Pen Penberthy 2

P Thirlby; S Hawkey, S Parsons, N Pedley (Rep S Kenward 18 Min), M Bowden (Rep T Notman 63 Min); A Penberthy, N Simmons; D Jacques, R Brown (Rep M Gidlow 60 Min) P Joyce (Rep J Wright 75 Min), D Cook, L Collins, C Fuca, O Hambly (Rep S Wood 53 Min Rep J Wright %4-58 Min) M Bright (Capt)

Ref Terry Hall RFU

REDS U12′S TRIUMPHANT OVER RIVALS
 
Redruth U12s    42     CAMBORNE U12s      14
 
Perfect conditions welcomed our friends from Camborne RFC. Redruth, with a select squad of 17, were led by Captain for the Day Ciaran Hicks who won the toss and opted to play down the slight slope.
The game started with great intensity and Redruth winger Harry Whinney dashed over the tryline early on after some slick passing by the Reds. (H.Eddy converted).
Camborne, who had a superior scrum, were 10 metres out from their own tryline when Henry Eddy slipped through to score. (B.Rowe converted).
With both teams playing some hard rugby and trying to play to their strengths, Redruth missed numerous opportunities with the overlap. Scrum-half Henry Eddy spotted a try opportunity and pounced over for the third try. (A.Hallam converted). Half-Time: 21-0
Redruth kicked off the second half and the game became a tighter affair with the dominant Camborne scrum now gaining confidence despite Redruths No8 Luke Grigg sneaking over the try line from a ruck 2 metres out.(R.Daughtery converted).

Camborne got their reward after their forwards applied lots of pressure in the Redruth half and finally drove over the try line. Redruth replied immediately when the backs spread the ball out wide for outside-centre Sam Haywood to score a clincal try (C.Hicks converted).
With the game see-sawing from one end to the other the Reds were pressurising the Camborne defence and produced the undoubted highlight of the match – the opportunist Redruth Fly-half, Bradley Rowe, charged down the kick from Camborne Fly-Half , the ball flying 15 metres up and back in the air for Bradley to score with a diving catch. (L.Grigg converted).
Camborne deservedly scored a late consolation try with the last play of the game when their Prop-forward barged his way through 3 Redruth defenders.
 
Both sides played some good quality rugby, showed great sportmanship and look forward to playing each other again in the near future.

Martyn
 
Squad: R.Daughtery (1C), H.Eddy (2T,1C), C.Evans, J.Goldsworthy, T.Govier, A.Grigg, L.Grigg (1T,1C), A.Hallam (1C), J.Hart, S.Haywood (1T), C.Hicks (1C), J.Hitchens, E.Jefferies, J.Morrison, S.Richards, B.Rowe (1T,1C), H.Whinney (1T).

Man of the Match – Angus Hallam, Best Effort – Jack Hitchens