DISAPPOINTMENT gripped Redruth on Saturday as their travels to London saw them return as losers by just a single point, writes Ed Bawden.

Renford Bennett’s try three minutes from time which was converted by Tom White denied the visitors a victory in the National League Two South clash.

A losing bonus point was stark consolation for the Reds from a game which they had led since the 20th minute.

It also came just a week after a drop goal with the final kick of the game had seen Redruth lose to Clifton in the league.

On a dark and wet day in south London, Redruth showed a lot of pride and enormous commitment and had a chance to snatch the game with a 40 meter penalty from the left hand touchline in the closing stages, but Ashley Hosking, who had landed four good penalties earlier was wide.

Redruth were left to rue a penalty from Hosking which hit an upright midway through the second half and then a clever cross kick from White gave Bennett the chance the leap high and dive over for the games only try.

The reds soaked up a lot of pressure in the opening quarter in difficult conditions.

Rhodri McAtee made several darting runs when the Reds had the chance to test the home defence but he was forced off with a shoulder injury after 25 minutes.

Sam Stevens, son of British Lion 'Stack', came on to make his debut at scrum-half with Hosking going to full-back and Murray Westren to fly-half.

Hosking put the reds in front after 20 minutes when Elthamians were penalised for not rolling away following a tackle on the 22-metre line.

White responded with a 20-metre penalty 11 minutes later after the Reds came in at the side of a ruck, but Hosking struck two tremendous penalties from over 40-metres in the six minutes leading up to half time for Redruth to go into the break with a 3-9 advantage.

Play was tense with a lot of mistakes in wet conditions.

Jack Kessell, Neilson Webber and Kyle Marriott all had good runs for Redruth, but an outstanding cover tackle by John Stevens on the powerful Bennett looked to be a match winner when Hosking put over his fourth penalty with 13 minutes to go following an offence at a scrum on the Elthamians 22-metre line.

Conceding three successive penalties Redruth put themselves under pressure as Elthamians went for catch and drive scores and with the referee signalling advantage, White spotted the Redruth defence was drawn in and his crossfield kick was perfectly placed for Bennett to score.

In the final stages, Redruth went on the attack to rescue the game but determined defence from the home side drove them back.

REDRUTH: 15 Westren, 14 Kessell, 13 Parsons, 12 Webber, 11 Wedlake, 10 McAtee (S Stevens, 25), Hosking; Phillips (Tompsett, 57), Brown (J Stevens, 55, (Fuca, 79)), Williams (Drew 57), Cook, Prisk, Fuca (c) (Priddey, 28), Hambly, Marriott.

PENS: Hosking 4.