For much of the first quarter our boys had the most of possession and territory playing towards the Piggy Lane end and Hell Fire Corner at the Recreation Ground against a resolute Redruth defence. Showing commitment and good ball retention in the swirling gale a Brad Barnes penalty was scant reward for their early dominance.

However as the game progressed the power of the home pack particularly in the loose, some fine conversions in the wind and a fortunate try when a loose ball was seized in a counter attack led to a convincing home win.

The score line did flatter the hosts, half backs Spencer and Barnes did good work in keeping the ball alive and the pack worked hard in strength sapping conditions. Clifton had few scoring chances but showed genuine character and did well in atrocious conditions to attract praise from the partisan crowd.

Off the pitch the customary Redruth welcome was enjoyed in the Richard Sharp bar with President Raine persuading about ten Redruth senior statesmen to sign up for lunch and a Bristol weekend at the February return fixture, Chris Rovery showing extraordinary athleticism to leap into the stand to greet his Cornish grandmother, the Spencer family linking up with Redruth Dings old friends and Roger Opie re-engaging with tales from his village cricket team from several decades ago

The Wanderers did the club credit by running the Reds 2nd XV close with 14 players [reduced to 13] throughout the game played on a pitch even more exposed than the main arena.
It says so much for the club spirit of our senior players that after a tough match and long journey they then turned out to coach junior and mini teams on the next morning.