Redruth were given plenty to think about as they were well beaten by seven tries to two on the Hertfordshire/Essex border by a fluent Bishop’s Stortford team, writes Ed Bawden.

A bad day for the Cornishmen was made worse with a red card for Jon Drew, who was singled out from a fracas involving a number of players two minutes from time.

On a cold, gloomy day, the pitch was in good condition following snow in midweek and Redruth got off to a great start with a 40m penalty from Ashley Hosking in the opening minute.

The hosts were able to play some expansive rugby, giving dangerous runners Sam Winter and Nick Hankin plenty of space to stretch the Reds’ defence.

Skipper Tom Coleman hit an upright with a penalty after six minutes, but soon after Marcus Cattell picked off forwards in the defensive line to set up a converted try for Aaron Mahoney.

Coleman added a penalty following an offside call against the Reds in front of the posts, but Hosking replied with another well struck penalty from 40m to leave the score at 10-6 after 14 minutes.

A lost line-out led to Redruth conceding a five metre scrum, which ended with referee James Sullivan awarding a penalty try as it turned after 22 minutes.

A couple of tries in quick succession for speedy winger James Rea, both converted by Coleman, left the reds trailing 31-6 at the break.

Hosking and Jack Kessell did well to stop the winger completing his hat-trick a few minutes later.

Redruth made a spirited start to the second period and a run by replacement Robin Wedlake opened up the defence before John Stevens burrowed his way over for the Reds’ first try, with Murray Westren converting.

Both teams used all there benches, making the game disjointed, but Stortford scored a further two tries in quick succession.

First Steve Ball went over from a catch-and-drive, while a second penalty try was awarded as the Reds stood up at a scrum near the line.

Coleman converted both to leave Redruth 32 points behind with 15 minutes to play.

When Stevens made a break from deep inside his own half, Coleman was shown a yellow card for killing the ball at a ruck close to the line.

From the following penalty, Tommy Phillips went over for a from a drive with seven minutes to go.

The game ended on a sour note with the red card for Drew, Redruth having a lot of work to do before back to back home games in the next two weeks.

REDRUTH: 15 Hosking (Bonds 47), 14 Kessell (Wedlake 50), 13 Parsons (c), 12 Webber, 11 Bowden (Williams 78), 10 Westren, 9 Rutter (Hosking 74); 1 Tompsett (Phillips 34), 2 Turner (Southworth 52), 3 Williams (Drew 36), 4 Cook, 5 Collins, 6 Howe, 7 Stevens, 8 Hambly.

TRIES: Stephens, Phillips.

CONS: Westren, Hosking.

PENS: Hosking (2).

RED CARD: Drew.