Redruth beat Cornish All Blacks

11:42am Wednesday 8th October 2008

Redruth with five wins in five games sit proudly on top of the National Division two table after a well deserved win over the Cornish All Blacks.

Strong wind and squally showers made for very difficult conditions but Redruth playing with great discipline and sticking to the “game plan” were always ahead on the scoreboard and held off a series of injury time attacks as Launceston tried to pull the game out of the fire.

James Mann was the sponsors man-of-the-match with a typically physical and rumbustious display but the honour could have gone to almost anyone in the XV. The Redruth front row gave a solid platform to build from and Mark Richards also played well..

A crowd of over 2,000 people braved the elements and the atmosphere was electric. Launceston supporters made there presence felt but the Reds fans cheered their side all the way to Redruth’s first ever league victory over the All Blacks.

This was also a victory for Cornish rugby, in the Reds side all bar skipper PJ Gidlow and Mark Scrivener have their roots in Cornish junior and colts rugby as opposed to a modest seven in the visitors 20 man squad.

Scrivener had a penalty chance in the fifth minute but was off target before putting the Reds ahead after 21 minutes with a 25 metre penalty, Danny Porte taking too long to roll away from the ball after a tackle.

Mark Richards stole away from a scrum to create space for Lewis Vinnicombe to race over in the scoreboard corner, but Scrivener was unable to add the extras as Redruth – who had defended Hellfire corner in the first half – took an eight point lead into the interval.

Launceston looked to be rattled as they left the field at the break and Scrivener got the crucial first score after the interval with a penalty from in front of the posts in the 47th minute. Questioning referee Terry Hall’s decision saw the giant former Worcester lock Tim Collier take 10 minutes in the sin bin for his thoughts.

The Australian fly-half Adam Staniforth who kicked well in difficult conditions opened Launceston’s account with a penalty in the 52nd minute.

This spurred the Reds on and from a turnover in the 55th minute Nathan Pedley raced away down the left hand touchline and turned the ball inside for Gidlow to dive over for an unconverted try. Scrivener and Staniforth exchanged penalties and at 19-6 ahead in the final quarter Redruth fans were starting to taste victory.

The progressive North Cornwall club used all their replacements in an attempt to pull the game around and the fresh legs in the forwards helped drive Welshman Steve Pape over for a try converted by Staniforth to narrow the gap to six points with 78 minutes on the clock.

Under pressure Redruth started to concede penalties as the All Blacks mounted some desperate attacks in injury time but it was to be the Reds day.

The bars were packed after the game and spirits in the Reds camp sky high.

The All Blacks coach Chris Brown was philosophical over the result.

This Saturday Redruth travel to south east London to face old rivals Blackheath.