Redruth 17 Henley Hawks 11
A superb first half performance from the Redruth pack laid the foundations for a morale- boosting win for the whole of the Redruth club following recent off the field events, reports Bill Hooper from a rain sodden Recreation Ground.
Henley got the first score, a penalty after just three minutes kicked by their prolific goal-kicker James Comben.
The Redruth forwards slowly began to dominate the set-piece with the front-row of Darren Jacques, Richard Brown and Craig Williams immense. Whilst at full back Murray Westren, a late call up to the starting XV, had a fine game dealing with the high balls the Hawks constantly hoofed his way.
Pressure from the Reds told after thirteen minutes as they drove towards the line following a scrum only from Henley to wheel, referee Jonathan Healey had no hesitation in awarding a penalty-try, which fly-half Paul Thirlby converted.
A charge downfield by Jacques led to a penalty allowing Thirlby to increase the Reds' advantage to 10-3. Just before half-time Redruth scored a crucial second try, following yet another scrum near the Henley line, No.8 Tom Duncan drove for the line but was brought down short, however Brown was on hand to complete the score. Thirlby's second conversion giving Redruth a useful 17-3 lead.
Henley looked to play their way back into the game during the second half, however conditions had deteriorated dramatically that coupled with Redruth's excellent defence mean't that it wasn't until the sixty second minute that the Hawks added to their score, a second Comben penalty.
The Hawks' frustrations were compounded with a yellow card for their winger Xavier Andre whose high-tackle on the excellent Westren was more ill-timed than malicious
Henley finally got a try through replacement lock Dave Manning four minutes from time to at least leave the gloom of Hell Fire corner with a losing bonus point.
Redruth 17 pts Tries – Penalty-Try, Brown, Conversions- Thirlby (2), Penalty- Thirlby
Henley Hawks 11 pts Try – Manning, Penalties – Comben (2) Yellow Card – Andre (69)
Redruth: Westren, Notman, Bonds, Kellythorn, Simmons, Thirlby, Goodfellow; Jacques, Brown, Williams, Cook, Collins, Fuca (capt) (Bailey 60), Priddey (Hambly 55), Duncan Replacements (not used): Cope, Job, Hosking.
Henley Hawks: Allen (capt) (Manning 47) , Andre, James, Wells (Carter 37), Briggs, Comben, Shaylor; Maddocks, Dwyer (Penny 40), Hadfield (Milford-Scott 40), Winterbottom (Woodward 60), Clements (Dwyer blood 65-68), Payne, Newman, Stapley.
Referee: Jonathan Healey (RFU).
Crowd: 655
A superb first half performance from the Redruth pack laid the foundations for a morale- boosting win for the whole of the Redruth club following recent off the field events, reports Bill Hooper from a rain sodden Recreation Ground.
Henley got the first score, a penalty after just three minutes kicked by their prolific goal-kicker James Comben.
The Redruth forwards slowly began to dominate the set-piece with the front-row of Darren Jacques, Richard Brown and Craig Williams immense. Whilst at full back Murray Westren, a late call up to the starting XV, had a fine game dealing with the high balls the Hawks constantly hoofed his way.
Pressure from the Reds told after thirteen minutes as they drove towards the line following a scrum only from Henley to wheel, referee Jonathan Healey had no hesitation in awarding a penalty-try, which fly-half Paul Thirlby converted.
A charge downfield by Jacques led to a penalty allowing Thirlby to increase the Reds' advantage to 10-3. Just before half-time Redruth scored a crucial second try, following yet another scrum near the Henley line, No.8 Tom Duncan drove for the line but was brought down short, however Brown was on hand to complete the score. Thirlby's second conversion giving Redruth a useful 17-3 lead.
Henley looked to play their way back into the game during the second half, however conditions had deteriorated dramatically that coupled with Redruth's excellent defence mean't that it wasn't until the sixty second minute that the Hawks added to their score, a second Comben penalty.
The Hawks' frustrations were compounded with a yellow card for their winger Xavier Andre whose high-tackle on the excellent Westren was more ill-timed than malicious
Henley finally got a try through replacement lock Dave Manning four minutes from time to at least leave the gloom of Hell Fire corner with a losing bonus point.
Redruth 17 pts Tries – Penalty-Try, Brown, Conversions- Thirlby (2), Penalty- Thirlby
Henley Hawks 11 pts Try – Manning, Penalties – Comben (2) Yellow Card – Andre (69)
Redruth: Westren, Notman, Bonds, Kellythorn, Simmons, Thirlby, Goodfellow; Jacques, Brown, Williams, Cook, Collins, Fuca (capt) (Bailey 60), Priddey (Hambly 55), Duncan Replacements (not used): Cope, Job, Hosking.
Henley Hawks: Allen (capt) (Manning 47) , Andre, James, Wells (Carter 37), Briggs, Comben, Shaylor; Maddocks, Dwyer (Penny 40), Hadfield (Milford-Scott 40), Winterbottom (Woodward 60), Clements (Dwyer blood 65-68), Payne, Newman, Stapley.
Referee: Jonathan Healey (RFU).
Crowd: 655