England resist making changes for final Ashes test Hambly is pleased to secure first win

REDRUTH director of rugby Nigel Hambly was pleased to get the National League Two South season of to a winning start with Saturday’s 10-8 home victory over Esher, but he has acknowledged that there is still a lot of work ahead.

“It’s always pleasing to win but for me the important thing was our overall performance, which I thought was good,” Hamby said.

“I felt we stuck to our processes well. Our defence was excellent against a well-organised side with some big men who are going to cause sides a few issues this season.

“We were under the cosh for long periods during the game but we stuck at it, defended well and didn’t panic. Fair play to the boys – they backed themselves in the final play to get the win and for that they deserve the plaudits.”

Asked about the final ten minutes as Redruth hammered the Esher line, he replied: “I would have kicked the three points, but, as I said, the boys backed themselves.

“You have to trust the boys, they have the feel for how it’s going, they sensed they could get the score and they did,” Hambly added. “Speaking to [team captain] Sam Stevens (pictured below) after the game, he said he had no hesitation in going for the win.

“Before the first league match you ask yourself: How do we shape up, are we ready? You don’t really know until you play that first game.

“After today, I know a little bit more and what areas we need to work on this week. We are where we are. The side will take a few weeks to settle in, we shan’t really know until after about six games where we really are in relation to the other sides and our true potential.”

Neither side were able to impose themselves and Hambly put that down to first-day nerves. “Today it was scrappy, defences were largely on top, not too many chances for either side,” he said.

“Our line-out wasn’t great today, neither was some of our decision making, so we will look at that this week. If we can keep improving each week, cut out the errors and pick up some wins, then we can build some momentum.”