Ed bawden

Hartpury College 40 pts Redruth 10

THE Reds' away day blues continued as they went down to their seventh defeat from 10 games on the road this season.

For half an hour Redruth looked the only side likely to win the match, but their failure to get more than five points on the scoreboard cost them as Hartpury ran in two tries just before the interval.

The Reds were a couple of minutes late coming out for the second half and in truth never got back into the game as the College side strolled to a comfortable win.

What changed? Well the Hartpury players were not going to let former Wales assistant coach Allan Lewis leave his Hartpury position on a losing note.

The popular Lewis is moving to become head of the WRU academy from the start of February.

After the match, Lewis recalled fondly how his son Emyr had played half a dozen matches for the Reds three seasons ago, while on loan from Exeter.

Redruth showed spirit in the way their scrambling defence chased back to cut off Rob Dempsey from running in a score with the hosts 28 points clear. Equally, the Reds kept having a go and replacement Craig Williams was tackled into touch at the corner just before another powerful run from Tom Duncan, followed by some good hands, saw Dean Bonds cross for a consolation score with the last play of the game.

And after the game, Redruth's director of rugby David Penberthy felt the Reds failure to take their first half chances was key in his side's defeat

He said: "Maybe we were lulled into a false sense of security, that was the key in the first half we had three or four chances and took one, Hartpury had two and took two.

"In the second half Hartpury's kicking game was good, they looked after the ball and kept us on the back foot all of the time, we were beaten by a better side. You cannot argue with that.

"We have got to keep going, this squad of players is what we have got. I was mighty pleased at the end, we had all the youngsters on the field. Mike Allen made his debut and showed up really well for 20 minutes.

"He came to the club aged six and has worked really hard and I am pleased that he has come through like that.

"We have got to pick ourselves up because after a week's break we have leaders Richmond on Saturday week

"With nine games to go we have got to put all the effort we can to finish in a good position."

"Chris Bailey is getting better and better every week, Tom Duncan again carried well and Paul Thirlby at ten had a strong game.

"We have got to keep working hard, it is the work ethic now and keeping our heads up and putting in performances and finish in the top six."

Playing open rugby made the running in the early stages.

Following a surge by Duncan, Richard Brown was stopped on the line by full back before the ball was recycled and quick hands from Greg Goodfellow, Paul Thirlby and Sam Parsons gave Craig Bonds space to stroll over wide out on the right for an unconverted try after nine minutes.

After this Redruth had position and procession, with Chris Bailey having a lively game, but could not add to their score, with Darren Jacques unable to take an inside pass from Goodfellow on the line.

Then, five minutes before the interval when Hartpury kicked long, Redruth dithered in getting the ball away and from the second of two successive scrums, skipper Thomas forced his way over wide out on the right for a try that Craig Jackson converted with a good kick.

On the stroke of half time following a bulldozing run by Morris that sucked in defenders Hartpury moved the ball swiftly to the left hand touchline for Dempsey to run in a try that gave them a 12-5 advantage.

Changed

At the start of the second period fly half Gareth Knox touched down for Jackson to add the extras five minutes into the second period.

The game had changed and the next score was only going to come from Hartpury and good handling saw Glen Lewis race over for the bonus point try that Jackson again improved to open up a 21 point lead with 25 minutes to go.

Redruth brought on Mike Allen, a tall teenager, and the latest product of the club's mini-junior section to make his debut in the second row.

He showed good hands winning ball in the middle of the line out but the Reds were still on the back foot as Hartpury added tries by Walker and Lewis both converted by Jackson.

Injuries to skipper Bonds who limped off with a knee strain and Parsons, who took heavy blows to the knee and head will be a concern to the Reds.

In the final play of the game Duncan again made the hard yards and Redruth took advantage with a couple of swift passes giving Dean Bonds the chance to finish in the right hand corner for a consolation score.