It was always going to be a tall order and so it proved at Tynedale Park on Saturday as Redruth’s promotion prospects were dealt a mortal blow by a spirited Tynedale side who rallied from 24-16 down to score three late tries to topple the Reds from top of National League 2 to triumph finally 35-24.
Redruth will be disappointed to have conceeded those three late scores, also not to have killed the game when they had the opportunity. Despite going 10-0 down early on Redruth fought back with a penalty try converted by Scrivener before the fly-half added the extras to an Emyr Lewis try for 14-13 lead at the break. Both sides swapped penalties early in the second half, before Redruth scored a third try through Luke Collins with Scrivener again adding the extras for an eight point lead. Redruth were held up over the line, before the impressive home finale broke Reds’ hearts.
Fellow promotion chasers Cambridge had all the points swen up by half-time at Polson Bridge as the Cornish All Blacks found themselves 24-0 down. No further scoring during the second half allowed the visitors to coast home and maintain their challenge.
So Saturday’s visit of Redruth to Cambridge will still be very interesting, Redruth have some unfinished buisness with Cambridge following their one-point win at the Recreation Ground back in December.
Mount’s Bay’s lack of front row players enforced the postponment of their game at Southend along with a 2 point deduction, which virtually confirms the inevitable relegation that has stalked them all season long.
In National League 1 on Sunday the Cornish Pirates put up a very strong performance against Leeds Carnegie before being overrun by in the final few minutes giving the homeside a 33-9 win, which flattered the league leaders somewhat. Rhys Jones kicked a couple of penalties and dropped a goal for the Pirates who will hope to get back to winning ways at Sedgley Park next Saturday, their final away game of the season.
In the Tribute regional leagues it was a pretty mixed bag of results. In South West 2 West St. Ives travelled to Newton Abbot only to lose 28-0.
In Western Counties West, a good win for Wadebridge Camels as they won 33-21 at Cross-in-Hand defeating Ivybridge. Dan Briskam (2), Josh Taylor, Matt Ballard and Tom O’Donnell scored tries for the Camels. Their play-off prospects remain intact with just two games to play.
Devonport Services beat Bude at the Rectory 36-0. Withycombe defeated Camborne 22-13, to get only their second win of the season. Shane Woods scored Town’s try, with Dave Mankee converting and adding a penalty, Joe Parma slotted a penalty as well.
Newquay Hornets lost 13-10 at Minehead, Stuart Williams scored a try with Rob Ley adding the conversion and a penalty.
In London 3 SW, London Cornish’s play-off prospects were severly dented following a shock 30-21 home defeat to KCS Old Boys.
In the Cornwall and Devon League, Penryn retuned to winning ways after a couple of rocky performances with an emphatic 66-13 win at Plymstock, to maintain their two-point lead at the top with two games to play. They entertain old foes Falmouth next saturday at the Memorial Ground, Falmouth who lost at home to Wellington 30-13. In the Cornwall derby at Hayle, Saltash surprised the homeside winning 8-7, with Rich Skinnard scoring Ashes’ try. Finally Truro scored 15 tries in defeating OPM’s 95-7 at St. Clements.
The Tamar Cup was relinquished by Cornwall on Sunday as they lost to Devon at Okehampton 13-11. Plymouth Albion’s Jack Yeandle scored a first half try for the homeside, before Camborne’s Dave Mankee replied with a penalty. Mount’s Bay’s Dan Hawkes then put Devon further ahead with a penalty before Mankee struck again before half-time with a second penalty. Hawkes scored a second Devon try before Cornwall scored a late try through replacement Dan Job.
Finally good luck to the students of Truro College in the Daily Mail RBS U.18 Cup Final against St. Peters Gloucester at Twickenham on Wednesday afternoon.