Redruth 35 Taunton 34
Events, Match Reports / Saturday 5 November 2011
The Reds needed to dig deep and show real character in the second half to overcome twenty-seven points in a twelve minute spell either side of half-time from the visitors who secured two bonus points for their efforts.
Before the match both sides observed a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in Friday night’s tragic accident on the M5 adjacent to Taunton Rugby Club.
Once again it was Redruth’s powerful forwards, most notably the front row, who laid the foundations for the win but the kicking duel between the experienced Tony Yapp and the young Aaron Penberthy added an extra dimension with both players kicking excellently for field position and giving an exhibition of goal kicking.
Taunton’s strong runners dominated the opening spell but it was the Reds who opened the scoring with a Penberthy penalty. The hosts started to exert pressure on the Taunton line before the ball was passed wide for Man of the Match Chris Fuca to cross for a well taken try, Penberthy converting to create a ten point lead.
Yapp put the visitors on the board with a forty metre penalty after thirty-three minutes to spur Taunton into action. First Sean Fox was put over by David Bates and then Jason Luff ran in from his own half for a splendid solo try, Yapp adding the extras to each to silence the home supporters.
Penberthy and Yapp exchanged penalties straight after half-time before Taunton added another try and conversion to build a fourteen point lead.
Redruth’s pack began to build the pressure and drove over for Tom Duncan to touch down for his ninth try of the season, Fuca added his second and Jamie Semmens scored a fine try to earn a bonus point with Penberthy converting all three to put his side eight points up.
Taunton were far from finished and came back strongly with Sonny Haines going over for their fourth try, converted by Yapp with the final kick of the game.
Redruth’s Director of Rugby had expected a tough encounter and was delighted with the spirit his side had shown in the final thirty minutes, “The return of Luke Collins was a bonus for us. We’ve had some outstanding games with Taunton over the years and this one was no exception.”
Attendance: 825
Referee: Referee: Paul Kimber (RFU)
Redruth
Tries: Fuca 28, 56; Duncan 49; Semmens 70; Conversions: Penberthy 28, 49, 70; Penalties: Penberthy 11, 41, 68
Taunton
Tries: Fox 34, 45; Luff 38; Haines 80; Conversions: Yapp 34, 38, 45, 80; Penalties: Yapp 33, 43
Redruth: B. Rule (P. Thirlby), T. Notman, C. Bonds (Capt.), J. Semmens, N. Pedley, A. Penberthy, G. Goodfellow, D. Jacques, D. Clackworthy (J. Tresidder 72), P. Joyce (C. Williams 46), D. Cook, C. Fuca (L. Moyle 75), J. Morgan (L. Collins 46), O. Hambly, T. Duncan.
Taunton: G. Kingdom, T. Popham, C. Gervais, J. Luff, R. Haile, T. Yapp, J. Bartlett (J. Conway 72), A. Chase, J. Gatford (S. Haines 2 – 16), S. Prior (S. Haines 17), N. Burnett (O. Marriott 72), D. Bates, S. Fox (Capt.), D. Taylor-Mendies (A. Helmsley 68), L. Wilkinson. Replacement: (not used) R. Trott.
