Clifton perform better but poor run continues

We travelled to our last away game of the season on a beautiful sunny spring morning only spoilt by a cool breeze. Stopping at Exeter for breakfast we arrived at the Redruth in plenty of time for the kick off.

This gave several of our players who had never played at the Recreation Ground before the opportunity to absorb the unique atmosphere of the best supported club in our league including the legendary Hell Fire Corner.

The crowd on the day was a shade under 900 which was one of their gates of the season and certainly becomes the sixteenth man in a hostile environment.

Redruth came into the game firmly entrenched in the relegation zone with five clubs battling to avoid the one remaining spot.

The opening exchanges were even with both sides showing a refreshing willingness to keep the game open and it was Redruth who took an early lead when full back Murray Westren landed an early penalty.

We immediately struck back when the quick thinking of full back Ben Foley when he espied a gap in the Redruth defence when we were awarded a penalty close to the line and he took a quick tap and dashed over the line for a try with the Redruth defence still half which was converted converted by fly half Brad Barnes.

Home scrum half Greg Goodfollow was beginning to pose problems to the visitors with some speedy sniping runs and eventually with a long pass to partner Rhodri McAtee and put Westren in at the corner.

We lost Sam Harrison with a hand injury to be replaced by Charlie Foley. Harrison believes he will be fit for our final game of the season at home to Canterbury.

Another Goodfellow break opened up the visitors defence wand centre Craig Bonds skippering Redruth in his final appearance at the Recreation ground before retiring went over for a try converted by Westren.

As the half came to an end Barnes kept us within one score with a penalty.

The scores were levelled at the start of the second half when Charlie Foley intercepted close to the home line and raced the length of the pitch to score with.

In the final quarter the home side through their heavier forwards taking control as our pack wilted.

A powerful on the hour from thirty metres ended with replacement hooker Neal Turner crossed for a try converted try Westren.

In the closing stages it became one way traffic as Redruth launched a succession of drives and replacement Matt Gidlow along with Turner crossed and Westren added a further conversion.

Redruth along with Dings were the only clubs in the relegation battle to win. Both clubs only have a game left to play with Redruth leaving at 6.00am to travel to Cambridge while Dings visit Southend .

The clash between Launceston and London Irish over Easter will decide the fate of Redruth.