Redruth fight back for superb late win
REDRUTH ................................. 22 OLD ALBANIAN ....................... 21
REDRUTH grabbed a narrow home win over a determined Old Albanian side with a converted Dean Bonds try with only minutes left on the clock, writes Alan Nettle.
In truth, this game should never have been in doubt as the Reds dominated field position and possession but struggled to break down the fiercely committed Old Albanian defensive wall.
OA’s were immediately on the attack from kick-off, but the Reds did well to repel a couple of catch and drive efforts.
The Reds hit back, gaining field position, courtesy of a superb Dean Bonds catch from an up-anunder. Several attacks were beaten back but, finally, Steele Barker went over for a converted try under the posts on 25 minutes.
The lead was shortlived as a loose Redruth kick out of defence was well run back by the OA’s from their own half and this led to a converted try under the posts by livewire scrum-half Elliott McPhun just a few minutes later.
Now, it was the Reds turn to hit back and a series of assaults on the OA’s line led to a try in Hellfire Corner by Kyle Bradley, the conversion just shaving the post.
This was a shortlived lead, however and after the Reds conspired to drop the kick-off the OA’s No.9 doubled his tally running in from the 22 yard line straight from the scrum without a hand being laid on him. The extras were added to put OA’s back in front with halftime looming.
The second 40 minutes saw almost total Redruth dominance in terms of field position with Fraser Honey’s kicking standing out as he constantly pinned the OA’s back into their half. But after 55 minutes, the OA’s were over. The conversion bounced in off the post to put OA’s nine points ahead.
Redruth again took the play into the OA’s half but it was not until the 65th minute that they added to their total with a Honey penalty.
Finally, from a line out in the shadow of the Tribute Lounge, the Reds got a maul moving and went over for a Dean Bonds try to the delight of home supporters.
Honey showed nerves of steel to slot the winning conversion and the Reds saw out the remaining minutes with no alarm.