A much changed Stortford side traveled down to Redruth and posed a number of questions that saw the home side relieved to get the ball off the park at the end of the game.

Suspensions, injuries and non availability saw a number of changes in the line up and it's worth noting that Redruth is always a difficult place to travel too even with a full complement of players. Having said that it was Stortford that exerted the early pressure and after 5 minutes Mark McCraith crossed the line under the posts, the conversion being a mere formality for TC - 7 - 0 up. Redruth started to exert some real pressure in the scrums and it was apparent the hosts' scrum was going to give Stortford a real going over, so it was no surprise that from a scrum close to Stortford's line the Redruth number 6 was able to pick up and cross the line - conversion dispatched by the Redruth 10 for 7 - 7. There followed a period of sustained pressure from the home side, roared on by a baying home crowd, but Stortford's defence held up and after 22 minutes Redruth were awarded a kickable penalty - although in this instance it wasn't as it was missed ! Redruth thought they had extended their lead on 32 minutes but the referee awarded a penalty in favour of Stortford for a double movement. Continued pressure from the home side was only interrupted briefly, while the home side's fly half was treated on the pitch having appeared to be out cold and on 35 minutes the Redruth and Cornwall scrum half, Goodfellow, scooted over unopposed from the base of a ruck. Replacement fly half duly slotted the conversion. A further penalty was awarded to the home side just before the end of the half, but this again was missed leaving the half time score at 14 - 7.

The dominance of the Redruth scrum resulted in the introduction of Chris Aldam at prop, replacing Liam Caulfield, for the second half and, surprisingly, Redruth's fly half, Westren came back on. The break seemed to reinvigorate Stortford and after some good interpassing Tom Dougherty stretched every inch to touch the ball down on the try line. TC duly slotted the conversion to square the game up 14 -14. Stortford's defensiveresolve was again put to the test and, despite giving away a penalty in range on 48 minutes the kick was missed and the scores remained level. Unfortunately on 52 minutes lines were breached by Goodfellow again and his offload saw the Redruth full back cross the line close to the posts for an easy conversion by Westren - 21 - 14 to the home team. Things were looking ominous, with Redruth's dominance in the scrum causing all sorts of problems for Stortford, but the never say die spirit of the boys can never be questioned and within 5 minutes we were back level. A couple of good driving runs allowed TC to feed Nick Hankin on the 22m line and a combination of those dancing feet, swivel hips and a little brute strength saw him cross the line just right of the posts with TC adding the additional 2 points, 21 -21.

The changes were starting to be rung on both sides and Dave Aldam joined the fray for Will Moore, Bally going into hooker (multi faceted or what ?) but the pressure on the scrum remained relentless. Redruth continued to press and a combination of a good cover tackle by Hankin and poor handling by the opponents saw Stortford clearing their lines. Further pressure from Redruth was soaked up and against the run of play a great break out from defence saw Hankin put in a massive spiraling kick which was chased by himself and Marner, who slid in bravely on the Redruth 22 to secure the ball with the opponents going over the top and the referee awarding a penalty. TC with nerves of steel slotted the resultant kicky taking Stortford 24 -21 into the lead with only 10 minutes to go. From the kick off Redruth again exerted pressure and from another penalty awarded for a scrummage offence Redruth drilled the penalty into the corner. From the resultant catch and drive, despite being repelled a number of times, the Redruth pack eventually drove over the try line with their number 4 dropping down for the touchdown, which was followed by a successful conversion 28 - 24. With time running out, from the restart Mike Gallagher made a fantastic weaving run but only to be stopped on the half way line. Once again Stortford were put under pressure by Redruth and when a further penalty was awarded some 15m out from the visitors' line the home side opted to close the game out, thus allowing Stortford the losing bonus point. This sees Storftord remain 1 point ahead of their hosts for the day in 5th place in the table.

For the travelling support, which again was fantastic, whilst the result was not what we would all have wanted, the fantastic, dogged performance of a patched up side was fantastic, given the amount of clean ball we were allowed. With players returning over the next 3/4 weeks, Stortford supporters will be looking forward to next week's game and those beyond.

Many thanks, Bryan - got your pencil sharpened for next week?!