REDRUTH head coach Steve Larkins was pleased with his side's first full game in their 24-0 pre-season friendly loss against Exeter Chief's Academy, writes Roger Watson.

Some 500 people turned out to watch a well drilled young Exeter side at the Recreation Ground.

Despite a brief torrential shower in the opening minutes the crowd enjoyed an absorbing encounter played in perfect conditions.

Showing that they had travelled down the A30 to win rather than to simply have a pre-season run out, Exeter opened the score after eight minutes with a simple penalty in front of the posts to go three points ahead.

For the next half hour, Redruth's defence was tested as Exeter kept them pinned deep in their own half.

Despite suffering from a huge penalty count against them, determined tackling kept the visitors at bay with the score staying at 3-0 as the half time whistle went.

Both sides made changes at half-time and a reinvigorated Redruth had the better of the opening exchanges, despite their set piece play not functioning as well as they would have wished.

Exeter started to put together more meaningful attacks with left winger Adam Worth showing his class on numerous occasions.

Predictably the home defence was eventually broken down as Fijian international Sireli Naqelevuki crossed on the hour to extend the visitors' lead.

More changes in the final quarter saw Exeter cross for two more tries, the first by Tom Holdsworth and the second by Lawrence May, with both scores being converted.

There was a great deal of encouragement for the Reds to take from the game despite Matt Gidlow and Todd Prisk both leaving the fray with injuries.

Larkins said afterwards: “You always know that the first game is going to be a tough job as you get tested physically for the first time. They were a well organised, talented side and I was pleased by our defensive display.

“The new signings played well and fitted in with the squad. We've still got a lot of work to do, especially on the lineout and scrum and there are still some boys waiting in the wings.”

Redruth: Rhodri McAtee, Tom Notman, Neilson Webber, Sam Parsons, Robin Wedlake, Ashley Hosking, Greg Goodfellow, Jess Tompsett, Matt Gidlow, Craig Williams, Chris Bailey, Todd Prisk, Chris Fuca (c), Owen Hambly, Kyle Marriot.

Replacements: Damien Cook, Jon Drew, Neal Turner, John Stevens, Murray Westren, Brett Rule, Dean Bonds, Dan Rutter, Matt Bowden, Tommy Phillips, Jack Kessell, Peter Joyce, Richard Brown.

Exeter: Charlie Wicks, Jack Faulkner, Ned Warne, Tom Holdsworth, Adam Worth, Laurence May, Jack Maunder, Dan Pullinger, Jack Innard, Jack Stanley, Ed Holmes, Josh Caulfield, Sireli Naqelevuki, Harry Ledger, Ben King.

Replacements: Billy Keast, Paul Davis, George Beale, George Shirlaw, Bradley Howe, Sam Waltier, Aaron Struminski, Noah Sixton, Jack Owlett. Alex Webb.