Sudden death breaks Rams
Redruth 25 Redingensians Rams 19
REDINGENSIANS’ five-game unbeaten run came to an end with a dramatic late defeat at Redruth.
Rams fought their way to a 19-18 lead heading into the final minute thanks to tries from Craig Nightingale and Stevie Bryant, but the hosts struck at the death with a converted try to steal the win.
After a long journey down to Cornwall, Rams struggled to hit their top form throughout and were hampered by four yellow cards during the contest.
But they did get off to a decent start, taking an early lead through two Jordan Souter penalties.
However, that seemed to kick Redruth into action and they were the first team to cross the whitewash.
And there was a fear the game could be turned on its head when Ben Henderson was sent to the bin, but the Rams dominant scrum yielded a try as Nightingale burst clear from halfway to score.
The hosts replied in kind almost immediately after a powerful line-out drive to pull to within one point of Redingensians.
By half-time Seb Reynolds’ men extended their advantage again, going 16-10 up as Conor Corrigan popped the ball off to Bryant to run over in the corner.
Redruth began the second half well, but the visitors defended stoutly to preserve their lead.
But a try followed by a penalty saw the lead change hands, only for another accurate Souter kick to give his side a slender advantage.
The fly-half was in the thick of the action again with two minutes to play, receiving a yellow card to leave the visitors a man down in the closing stages.
And that proved costly as Redruth spun the ball out wide to convert the winning score and force Rams to settle for a losing bonus point.
“It was a really interesting game of rugby,” said head coach Reynolds.
“I think both sides played poorly with the wind on their backs and actually created pressure for themselves.
“If you come down to a place like Redruth and receive four yellow cards, the likelihood is you’re not going to win the game.
“We were just a little bit off our game.”
Rams, who stay third, have no game this weekend and return to action on March 24 at home to Taunton Titans.
RAMS: Foxley, Duffelen, Bryant, Jones, Corrigan, Souter, Cole, Weller, Henderson, Baker, Taylor, Thomson, Nightingale, Vooght (c), C. Stapley. Reps: Drew, Steadman, Collis, Rossiter, Booth.
Tries: Nightingale, Bryant
Pens: Souter x3
Yellow cards: Henderson (19), Weller (48), Nightingale (68), Souter (78)