It’s seventh heaven as Ruth stay in the race
Redruth .............. 49pts Sutton & Epsom .... 12pts
REDRUTH scored seven converted tries to keep in touch at the top and comprehensively defeat Sutton & Epsom on their first visit to the Recreation Ground.
It was a result and ruthless performance that pleased Redruth director of rugby Nigel Hambly: “I am pleased with the result, we scored some nice tries and looked good in places.
“I still think though that we gave away too many penalties.
“It’s hard to keep your concentration and focus when you have scored four tries after just 23 minutes gone.
“We picked up another couple of injuries which isn’t great either but we are building a bit of a run here and will look to maintain form when we travel to Westcliff next week.”
Westcliff have been warned. Redruth got off to the fastest possible start following a break from Jack Oulton, who had Sam Stevens in support.
The Redruth skipper ran hard into the 22 before timing his pass inside for Edd Pascoe to dot down under the sticks and open the floodgates.
Fraser Honey kicked the first of his seven conversions, a sign of things to come, in a faultless kicking performance from both tee and hand.
The Reds maintained the pressure and following a quick-tap full-back Harry Davey scuttled in for the first of his two tries for the afternoon.
Davey then completed his brace following a good break from hooker Richard Brown.
The Prisk brothers were very influential throughout the game at lock and it was Jamie who crashed over for the bonus point try after just 23 minutes.
A shellshocked Sutton & Epsom looked for a way back and were given a boost when skipper George Drye
squeezed over from a pick and go near the home line, Luke Mason adding the conversion to leave the score 28-7 at the break – a glimmer of hope at least.
Nevertheless, after halftime the game continued in the same vein with Brown being driven over for Redruth’s fifth try, the result now well beyond doubt.
The Redruth forwards maintained their dominance from another catch and drive, setting up Jamie Prisk for his second try of the game.
Exciting young prospect Ali Stacey, on at scrum-half for Oulton, scored the final home try from a jinking run from some 30 metres.
The visitors did manage to score a second try near the end through Joe Ridgley to finish the game on a deserved high. Head coach Mike Schmid, whilst disappointed with the defeat, acknowledged his side needs to be smarter at this level.
“We lost the game in the first half,” he said. “We gave them too much respect and made far too many errors and at this level you get punished. Fair play to Redruth – they took their chances well.
“We scored a couple of tries which were no more the consolation as the game was already lost, this season is a massive learning curve for us.
“The lads are playing at the highest level they have played at and it’s a challenge.”