AFTER a poor first 40 minutes, a much needed bonus point win against Lydney seemed unlikely for Redruth, writes Roger Watson.

But the Reds showed characteristic guts, determination and spirit to score three unanswered second half tries and a Brett Rule conversion to seal it.

Reds’ Head Coach Steve Larkins admitted he has been feeling the pressure over the last few weeks but was happy with the result.

Larkins said: “We were flat in the first half but the changes we made at half time ensured we dominated.

“Adding that experience and about forty stones to the pack certainly helped.

“We kept them to nil in the second half and executed our own game plan well and you have to be pleased to get five points against a good Lydney side.”

The hosts started poorly and looked lacklustre whilst Lydney, keen to avoid getting dragged into the relegation zone, were straight out of the blocks taking an eight point lead after five minutes courtesy of a Tony Wicks penalty and a Harry Brown try.

Redruth hit back when the two players on loan from the Cornish Pirates combined well as Charlie Davey broke through the visitors’ defence to put John Stevens over for a try, converted by Rule.

Lydney dominated the next half-hour with Reds number eight Kyle Marriot needing to work hard to tidy up behind a pack which was being bossed around.

Weak defending by the hosts gave Lydney a simple try from the set piece by fly-half Eamon Rees, which was converted by Brad Barnes.

He went on to create a try for his skipper Chris Holden with a perfectly weighted chip to the corner which he also converted.

Rule and Barnes exchanged penalties in the final minutes of the first half to give the visitors a commanding 15 point lead at the break.

A reshuffle was done to the Reds pack for the second period, adding weight and experience with prop Craig Williams and second row Damien Cook coming in in a decision which changed the game.

Larkin’s men started to dominate the set pieces and got their driving maul functioning effectively.

A forward drive enabled young prop forward Tommy Phillips to break off and score.

Rhodri McAtee’s fine kick set up the next try as his boot helped put Sam Parsons over to reduce the deficit to five.

The Reds’ tight five were awarded numerous penalties at scrum time and fittingly the win was sealed by the forwards when the visitors infringed in an attempt to stop a driving maul and referee Calum Howard had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

This victory puts Redruth above neighbours and rivals Cornish All Blacks ahead of next Saturday’s second leg of the derby at Polson Bridge, when the hosts will be keen to avenge their one point loss at The Rec in September.

Skipper Chris Fuca summed things up succinctly, saying: “It was a gutsy second half and a poor first half.

“We know we’ve got to play better next week but if we go up there, don’t worry too much about them, and stick to our job we will get a result.”

REDRUTH: 15 Rule, 14 Kessell, 13 Wedlake, 12 Parsons, 11 Bowden (Rutter, 26-40, 57), 10 McAtee (Bowden, 65), 9 Webber; 1 Phillips, 2 Brown, 3 Drew (Williams, 41), 4 Davey (Cook, 41), 5 Collins, 6 Fuca (c), 7 Stevens (Priddey, 48), 8 Marriot.

UNUSED REP: Southworth.

TRIES: Stevens (15), Phillips (43), Parsons (56), Penalty (71) CONS: Rule 2/4.

PEN: Rule.