Stevens try swings it Reds’ way at death

A TRY deep into injury time from Redruth skipper Sam Stevens gave the home side an opening day win against a determined Esher side, in a game where defences stayed on top for most of the affair.

It was a result that pleased a very relieved Redruth director of rugby Nigel Hambly.

“I am delighted to have snuck a win there at the death,” he said. “I think both sides defended well for the whole match.

“There were very few clean-cut opportunities for either side, but in the end we backed ourselves to go for the win when we could have gone for the posts to get a draw.”

Hambly still feels his side is very much a work in progress, adding: “I will have a good look at the DVD but my initial feeling is there were too many errors, especially in some of our set-play.

“But it’s things we can work on and put right. The plus for me was the boys’ attitude and willingness to work hard for each other and never-say-die attitude.

“It’s a good start but we have work to do ahead of our trip to Taunton next week.”

From the kick-off, the game quickly became a stalemate in midfield with neither side able to find a breakthrough amidst some stern tackling.

A promising move from Redruth involving Lewis Vinnicombe, Richie Kevern, Brad Howe and Matt Shepherd came to nothing as they were turned over.

Spectators had to wait until the 36th minute for the first points. Redruth managed to rip the ball from Esher in midfield, Shepherd set off on a powerful run before timing his pass to the flying Vinnicombe to score in Hellfire corner.

Fraser Honey couldn’t