Old Albanian 5, Redruth 30

Redruth travelled back to Cornwall happy in a job well done, at a venue they had never won at before, and with the five points in the bag, writes Bill Hooper.

The game was played in appalling conditions, driving rain throughout, and this suited the bigger Redruth pack.

Redruth were forced into changes from the previous week with Mark Grubb unavailable and Brad Howe out with concussion.

Club captain Sam Stevens came in for his first start since returning from Japan, and forwards coach Chris Fuca came onto the bench, whilst there was a new combination at centre with Connor Gilbert and Shea Tucker.

The Reds made a good start allowing the half-backs to dictate play and it wasn’t long before the power of the pack created a try for the impressive Tucker.

Fraser Honey extended the lead with two first half penalties and it could have been more but a second Redruth try of the half was chalked off for a forward pass, so it remained 11-0 to the visitors at half-time.

The Reds sealed the win early in the second half with two quick tries, the first a powerful effort from prop Jack Hodge whose strength took him over and then a great individual try from scrum-half Jack Oulton from a blindside break from 30 meters.

Both scores were bettered by Honey to put Redruth well clear.

Old Albanian bagged a consolation score through their forwards when Andrew Daish was driven over,

Fittingly it was Redruth who had the final score when a kick ahead by Honey was gratefully accepted by Matt Shepherd to score the Reds’ fourth try and complete the win.

Redruth’s Director of Rugby Nigel Hambly was pleased to get the win, saying: “Delighted to get the win up here, our first on this ground, so that’s very satisfying. Key to get those early scores in the second half to settle us and put us in strong position. The side continues to improve week on week, hopefully we can put on a really good performance at home next week.”

Redruth: Davey, Simmons, Tucker, Gilbert, Vinnicombe, Honey, Oulton, Hodge, Brown, Tompsett, J Prisk, T Prisk, Clemson, Stevens (c), Pascoe. Reps: Ma’asi, Phillips, Fuca, Shepherd, Kessell.

Redruth scores: Tries - Tucker, Hodge, Oulton, Shepherd; Cons - Honey 2; Pens - Honey 2.