A SCINTILLATING first half performance saw Redruth record their fifth consecutive home National Two South win on Saturday, writes Roger Watson.

However in the closing stages they were forced to dig deep to hold on to a 22 point lead as Worthing Raiders staged a tremendous revival to earn a losing bonus point.

The visitors looked dangerous from the kick-off, but the Reds soon settled with Matt Bowden looking sharp on the left wing.

Kicking to the corner from a penalty awarded by referee James Sullivan for a high tackle, Ben Priddey touched down from the ensuing line-out to open the scoring with Ashley Hosking adding the extras from the touch-line.

Priddey had stepped up from the bench as Richard Brown, the original selection, was with his better half who went into labour on Saturday morning.

A few minutes later, Hosking stretched the lead with a straight forward penalty and the home side looked well in control.

John Stevens in particular caught the eye putting in some great tackles and running excellent lines for a man-of-the-match performance.

With the forwards taking the upper hand, the backs were given the opportunity to move the ball at pace putting together some exhilarating plays.

Hosking completed a move he had started, touching down in the corner and added another fine touch-line conversion to take his personal tally to ten.

When Nielson Webber went over for the Reds’ third try from a well-executed move straight after the break, the hosts seemed to be cruising to a bonus point win, but The Raiders had other ideas.

With 30 minutes of the game remaining, Finlay Coxon-Smith gathered his own kick ahead after a quick penalty which caught Redruth napping to touch down for Matthew McLean to convert and the visitors’ revival was started.

Worthing started to show their quality and patiently played themselves back into the game as the Reds became a little disjointed.

Their continued endeavour was rewarded by a brace of tries for the impressive McLean to reduce the deficit to five.

The Raiders finished strongly as they looked to steal the game, but the well organised home defence steadfastly held firm to secure a hard fought win.

Steve Larkins, Redruth’s head coach was pleased with the way his side had bounced back after the previous week’s disappointing performance at Bishop’s Stortford.

He said: “I enjoyed the first half, we were direct, the wings looked sharp and we defended well.

“We had a few lapses in concentration after half-time.

“It was a pity we didn’t manage the bonus point try but we will aim for that next week when we will hope to impress.

“This week has been a tough one following a poor performance but next week will fly by as we have another home game following this week.”

The Reds enjoy the rare luxury of two back to back home games when Shelford from Cambridgeshire being next week’s visitors.

REDRUTH: 15 Hosking, 14 Vinnicombe (Wedlake 41, Tompsett 66-70), 13 Webber, 12 Parson (c), 11 Bowden, 10 McAtee (Rule 65), 9 Goodfellow; 1 Phillips (Tompsett 70), 2 Priddey, 3 Williams (Southworth 70), 4 Cook, 5 Howe, 6 Hambly, 7 Stevens, 8 Marriot.

UNUSED REP: Westren.

TRIES: Priddey (9), Hosking (29), Webber (42).

CONS: Hosking 2/3.

PEN: Hosking (13).