Depleted Reds storm to win
This was a classic Redruth performance from a group of players red to the core. Little could have been expected of the hosts without six first-team players who left the club shortly after being asked to take a pay cut, against a side pushing for promotion after their relegation last season.
The home side lost starting full-back Paul Thirlby to a hamstring injury minutes before kick-off and conditions throughout could hardly have been worse – the wind, rain and visibility so bad that the game was brought to an end after just 70 minutes.
Despite all this, Redruth produced a five-point performance with four tries from Richard Carroll, Mark Bright and Mark Richards after a first-half penalty try.
Head coach Nigel Hambly said: "I'm real happy. We love playing rugby and love playing for the club.
"Anyone who has watched the game today will not have any complaints, the 20 guys who took to the field played for the right reasons – not for the pay cheque they get at the end of it. That does help, but the guys did it for the right reasons.
"I'm not going to bad mouth anyone who has left. Everyone has their own agenda and their own things. I think a couple of those lads played for Newton Abbot today, people move on. I'm just pleased with today, sometimes things happen for the best, I don't know.
"There were probably a few question marks flying around. Are Redruth on a slippery slope? I've read it in a few places but today we stood up and fought. To score four tries in these conditions is pretty special."
The signs were slightly more ominous in the opening minutes. The hosts soon found themselves trailing when Newbury fly-half Paul Roberts kicked his side in front with a penalty after the home side were caught offside. However, Reds No.10 Brett Rule levelled the scores seven minutes later with a controlled strike from 25 metres after Newbury were penalised.
A predictable pattern seemed to be emerging, but Redruth were the one side who seemed determined to rise above the elements. Their determination and persistence were rewarded midway through the first half when a penalty try was awarded after Newbury illegally halted four five-metre scrums as the home side inched towards the try-line.
Rule converted to create a seven-point gap between the sides but the gulf in mentality and application was already far greater. Redruth scrum-half Mark Richards was putting on an exhibition with his right boot – constantly drilling low kicks that would skip off the wet surface into the corners, putting the visiting line-out, which faltered more and more as the day went on, under increasing pressure.
Indeed, it was a Richards penalty into Hellfire corner that led to Carroll's try after a successful line-out and drive to the line. Rule's conversion attempt was well-struck but fell short from close to the touchline.
The onslaught continued with the Reds smashing through the Newbury defensive line at will. And it was Bright, a giant in the home back row all afternoon, who got the third try, popping over under the posts, setting up an easy Rule conversion.
Richards capped a fine display with the fourth try on the hour mark in increasingly gloomy conditions. With the light diminishing by the second, referee Ross Campbell brought the game to a close with ten minutes still on the clock – neither side complained too bitterly.
Hambly said: "It was dark, wet and cold. We got the five points and all that we could out of the game.
"The spirit the boys showed today and the commitment and the effort was fantastic – Mark Bright was an absolute colossus. It was all set up when Brett Rule dumped their second row on his backside in the first few minutes – that's what we're all about. "We picked up a gear and started working, we got on the front foot and played some decent stuff."
Redruth's spirit and resolve will be put to the ultimate test next weekend with a trip to Tynedale.
Hambly said: "I'm pleased with today, but it's one win. We're off to Tynedale next week. We go away from the comforts of home, but we go away in good spirits. We've got to replicate what we did today.
"We put on a really good performance and people think it flows and it will be the same next week. It will take a lot of replicating – we just want to build another performance and give it 110 per cent.
"We're at home against Blackheath the week after, the supporters will turn up – they did today in horrendous conditions. We gave them a decent show and I'm really pleased for the boys."
Redruth scrum-half Mark Richards looks to clear his lines during Saturday's win over Newbury
