CALLUM Sheedy's drop goal with the last kick of the game saw Redruth cruelly fall to a 20-23 defeat at home to Clifton on Saturday, writes Jerry Penna.

In a thrilling game, the scores were level after 66 minutes, but relentless pressure from the visitors gave replacement scrum-half Sheedy the opportunity to seal the victory in the 13th minute of injury time allowed by referee Veryan Boscawen.

This was a game targeted by the ambitious Bristol club, so they travelled down on Friday to ensure they were fully prepared in their campaign to improve on last season's fifth place finish.

The home crowd was left silenced as Sheedy's kick went through the uprights leaving Reds' head coach Steve Larkins disappointed.

“It's tough to lose like that with no time to come back but we are a young side and we will learn from it,” he said.

“After Rhodri McAtee went off injured the average age of our back line couldn't have been much more than 19.

“The balance changed a bit in the second half as their pack started to get on top in the scrum, but we played pretty well and our defence was good.

“Clifton are a good side and they came down here to play some rugby.”

With The Reds playing down the slope, the first half was played at breath-taking pace.

In perfect conditions both sides were enthusiastic to move the ball wide and Redruth put together excellent phases to keep the visitors in their own half for lengthy periods.

But Clifton, quick to pounce on any Redruth mistake, always looked threatening on the break.

Strong running by visiting centre William Pomphrey forced Tom Notman into two try saving tackles, but Clifton opened the scoring courtesy of Ben Foley before his relative Charlie Foley extended their lead with a penalty.

The Reds continued to play adventurous rugby and were rewarded with a long distance penalty which Ashley Hosking, whose place kicking was immaculate all afternoon, struck confidently between the posts.

The persistence of the home side saw Notman, who was in fine form, touch down in the corner, with Hosking converting to give Redruth a narrow lead at the break.

The pattern of the game changed in the second period as the visitors kept Redruth pinned in their own half, but against the run of play a fine interception on his own line saw Robin Wedlake race half the length of the field, Chris Fuca threw a long pass wide for Murray Westren to score with Hosking adding the extras.

Whilst the much improved Reds' line-out continued to secure 100 per cent of their own ball they started to struggle at the scrum with the Redruth man-of-the-match, number eight Kyle Marriott, needing to tidy up as his forwards were pushed backwards.

Clifton maintained the pressure and a perfectly weighted chip to the corner by Charlie Foley gave Ben Foley a simple finish to complete his brace of tries. Hosking struck back with a penalty only for Charlie Foley to put another superb kick to the other corner, this time the recipient was Will Pomphrey who touched down for Foley to convert and tie the scores with fourteen minutes remaining.

The pressure from the visitors was relentless with the Redruth defence giving everything to thwart wave after wave of attacks.

Then, With the last play of the game looming the Clifton scrum-half Mitch Spencer was forced off with a leg injury.

His replacement, Bristol Academy player Callum Sheedy, dropped into the pocket as his forwards recycled the ball and calmly struck the winning drop goal.

REDRUTH: 15 Westren, 14 Notman (Kessell, 47, Notman, 76), 13 Webber, 12 Parsons, 11 Wedlake, 10 McAtee (Bonds, 53), 9 Hoskings; 1 Phillips, 2 Brown, 3 Williams (Drew, 28), 4 Cook, 5 Prisk, 6 Fuca, 7 Stevens (Simmons, 50), 8 Marriott.

REPS NOT USED: Southworth.

TRIES: Notman (37), Westren (51).

CONS: Hoskings 2/2 PENS: Hoskings 2.