Banks is a safe bet as he comes in for skip
BISHOP’S Stortford extended their lead at the top of the table with a comfortable win over Redruth, who slipped down the table after Taunton Titans’ win.
The home side started slowly and their cause wasn’t helped, when flyhalf and captain Tom Coleman had to be replaced after only six minutes.
Thomas Banks took his place, moving from scrumhalf, where Sam Coleman was the replacement. It naturally took Stortford some time to adjust to these changes and, in the meantime, Redruth’s powerful pack smelt blood, spending extended periods camped on the opposition line – positions from which they are used to scoring.
For once, though, massive home defence prevented the visitors from exploiting a series of five metre lineouts and scrums.
Stortford, by contrast barely entered the Redruth 22, but came away with scores each time they did. The first was a goal kicked by Banks on 26 minutes from a reversed penalty some 35 metres out.
Five minutes later and No.8 Steve Ball made a fine break from the back of a scrum in his own 22 and Sam Winter took the ball on to stretch the defence and give Will Simmonds the yards he needed on the outside to run round for a try – which Banks converted.
Stortford finished the half camped on the Redruth line and a second penalty offence by the visitors brought a yellow card for Sam Parsons.
With no time to go for touch, Stortford opted for a scrum and Nick Hankin, coming in at first receiver, was able to force his way between two tacklers to take the half-time score to 15-0 – Banks’ conversion
attempt bouncing out off the upright.
Despite playing into the breeze in the second half, Stortford’s running game dominated proceedings with Banks and Johnny Neville making particular impacts in setting up tries for Will Roberts and Hankin after 48 and 55 minutes respectively, the first converted by Banks.
More 15-man rugby allowed hooker Dec Caulfield to touch down out wide on 66 minutes, but Redruth were not ready to give up and won a deserved consolation try at the death when livewire Jack Oulton darted over after another prolonged period of outstanding home defence of their line.
Stortford coach Andy Long said: “I was pleased with my side’s commitment and particularly the way they kept their heads after losing their skipper so early in the game.”
Redruth skipper and 300plus cap veteran back row Chris Fuca felt his side suffered for conceding when on top.
“Three lightning strikes against the run of play in the first half were body blows, we had those periods on Stortford’s line but weren’t able to score,” he said. “But there’s no disgrace in losing to the best side we have faced.”