ROBIN Wedlake’s hat-trick helped Redruth to a bonus point victory as they stuffed lowly Shelford 41-5, writes Roger Watson.
Reds’ head coach Steve Larkins was a happy man following this comprehensive seven try to one win, setting the record straight after going down 31 – 11 at the Davey Field in November in a game that he described in the match day programme as “arguably our worst performance of the year.”
Larkins explained it had been their intention to keep the ball alive and moving through the hands.
He said: “I can’t grumble about anything much out there today and I was generally pretty pleased with the entire game.
“We played with the desire to go forward in attack and to handle the ball from one to fifteen, we created some good opportunities and scored some fine tries.
“I was especially pleased with Brad Howe, he carried well and tackled well and although he is a back row forward playing in the second row today he certainly looked the part.”
Although the visitors, who had made the long journey from Cambridge, made a lively start, the Reds always looked in control.
After 13 minutes Shelford found themselves trailing when effervescent scrum-half Greg Goodfellow broke through the defence to put Wedlake in for his first try with Ashley Hosking’s conversion attempt hitting the upright.
Within ten minutes, Wedlake touched down for his second when Hosking’s jinking run opened up the defence with Hosking’s conversion making it a seven point score.
Following the Reds taking a scrum against the head, skipper Sam Parsons beat the defenders to touch down with Hosking once again adding the extras.
Parsons dives over for his try. Picture: CORNISHPHOTOS
A break by Howe saw him link up with fellow Pirates loanee John Stevens who went over for the bonus point try.
Hosking’s conversion attempt from in front of the posts went wide as he pulled a muscle which prevented him playing any further part in the game.
Replacement full-back Murray Westren touched down straight after the break completing a good handling move in which Ben Priddey, always at the heart of things, played a key role.
Shelford’s only score came in the 48th minute when a lapse in concentration by the otherwise sound Redruth defence, allowed their skipper, second row forward John Hall, to shrug off the tacklers and touch down in the corner.
This was however a minor set-back for the home side whose pack were in control with the back row trio of Stevens, Owen Hambly and Kyle Marriot dominating the breakdown and setting up a tremendous platform for their backs.
The Reds showed good attacking prowess as they moved the ball through the hands with Nielson Webber setting up Wedlake to complete his trio of tries with Westren adding the extras.
With the game secure the home side continued to press forward showing patience and control as they went through the phases before Westren scored his second try to take his personal points tally to 12.
Next week, Redruth take a break from the action before travelling to Bristol to challenge Dings Crusaders on March 7.
Brad Howe looks set to be on the end of a high tackle. Picture: CORNISHPHOTOS
REDRUTH: 15 Hosking (Westren 39), 14 Wedlake, 13 Webber (Kessell 62), 12 Parsons (c), 11 Bowden, 10 Rule, 9 Goodfellow (Rutter 62); 1 Phillips (Southworth 49), 2 Priddey, 3 Williams (Tompsett 49), 4 Cook, 5 Howe, 6 Hambly, 7 Stevens, 8 Marriot.
TRIES: Wedlake (13, 22, 58), Parsons (34), Stevens (37), Westren (41, 67).
CONS: Hosking 2/4, Westren 1/3.
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