Old Albanians 27, Redruth 10

Redruth slipped to a third defeat on the bounce which sees them slip down into a mid-table position of seventh in the league standings, writes Bill Hooper.

The Reds can have no complaints, as not for the first time this season they got on the wrong side of the referee, with three players spending time in the sin-bin.

Close season signing lock Jack Heazleton came into the side at lock along with AJ Cant back on-loan at the Reds from the Cornish Pirates starting at full-back.

Redruth made a strong start but couldn’t turn their early dominance into points.

Old Albanian went ahead with a penalty from centre Dan Watt and it remained that way until the 28th minute when home side went ahead with try scored and converted by Watt to make it 10-0.

Watt was again involved five minutes later, his long pass put wing Peter Warne in space to dot down OA’s second try for a 15-0 half-time score-line.

Redruth playing with the wind in the second half needed a good start and it came with a try scored by winger Tom Notman near the sticks allowing fly-half Richie Kevern a simple conversion.

Disappointingly, Redruth then suffered the first yellow card as lock Luke Hattam was deemed to have impeded a quickly taken free-kick.

Moments later OA’s scored a third try through fly-half Tom Bedell, which Watt again bettered, moving his side to 22-7 lead.

Kevern reduced the deficit with a penalty but that was as good as it got for the Reds as further progress was hampered by yellow cards to both scrum-half Jack Oulton and centre Connor Gilbert.

Old Albanian then wrapped up the bonus point with a fourth try scored by centre Tom Holdsworth.

Head coach Pale Nonu was disappointed that discipline had again let his side down.

He said: “The boys got frustrated with some of the decisions today but they have to learn to cope with that.”

All in the Red camp will have much to ponder ahead of their next game at home to Bury St. Edmunds on Saturday week.

Redruth: AJ Cant, T Notman, J Simmons, C Gilbert, S Cornish, R Kevern, J Oulton; T Kivalu, M Gidlow (Capt), J Edmondson, J Heazelton, L Hattam, M Grubb, S Stevens, B Howe. Reps: C Williams, R Brown, L Barnes, A Simmonds, D Bonds.

Redruth: Try; Notman, Con & Pen; Kevern