Tonbridge Juddians 22, Redruth 7

Redruth returned empty-handed from their long trip to Tonbridge following their sixth loss of the season that sees them nine points adrift of the next side above them, writes Bill Hooper.

The coaching staff were once again obliged to juggle their resources in the back row with both Matt Gidlow and Jake Clemson at flanker. There was a welcome return for Todd Prisk at lock.

Redruth fell behind to an early un-converted try following a series of drives near their line from the home pack with No.8 Ben Ashmore getting the try.

Disappointingly for the Reds they were unable to finish off chances, coughing up lineout ball when in a good position, whilst a promising move involving full-back Aaron Simmonds and wing AJ Cant fizzled out close to Tonbridge line.

The home side couldn’t add to their tally either before the break so at half-time it remained 5-0 to Tonbridge.

The start of the second half was almost a carbon copy of the first as Tonbridge got good field position to set up a series of drives near the Redruth line. With a change of tactic Tonbridge moved the ball wide allowing wing Hugo Watson to score in the corner with fly-half Will Robinson adding a fine touchline conversion.

Redruth needed a quick reply, it came eventually when scrum-half Jack Oulton took a quick tap near the opponents line to dart over with Richie Kevern adding the extras.

The Reds needed another score to have a chance in the final quarter but instead it was former Bude player Duncan Tout who scored Tonbridge’s third try again converted by Robinson to put his side well in command.

Robinson then kicked a penalty to make the game safe, whilst good defending from the home side kept Redruth out during the final moments.

Head coach Pale Nonu was left disappointed with his side’s defeat. “It was tough conditions out there today but crucially we lacked composure at critical times which helped lead to our own downfall, if we could have made the most of the chances we created in the first half it could have been a different outcome”.

Redruth are back in action at home next Saturday against Old Redcliffians with a 2pm kick-off.

Redruth: Simmonds, Notman, Simmons, Gilbert, Cant, Kevern, Oulton; Kivalu, Brown (capt), Williams, Prisk, Heazelton, Clemson, Gidlow, Stevens.

Replacements: Salt, Harper, Nonu, Janes, Cornish