Redruth deserved their victory outscoring their enterprising opponents by 5 tries to 3. Their win was based on a dominant scrum and a lineout maul that Macclesfield just could not contain. The visitors played their full part running the ball with great freedom from anywhere on the pitch.

Macclesfield kicked off on a calm, dry but gloomy day at the Recreation Ground. Playing towards Hellfire Corner they got off to a flyer, from a line out just outside the 22 they punched down the middle and then moved quick ball to the left and split the Reds defence open for Leake to go over for try converted by Oliver on 3 minutes. From the kick-off Macclesfield gave notice on how they were going to play the game and opened up from their 22 making some good ground. They continued to play the game in this manner throughout and if anything got more adventurous as the game wore on anxious to keep the ball away from the strong Redruth forwards. At a lineout in Redruth territory Macclesfield were penalised for not straight and, lacking a regular hooker, they would struggle in this are throughout. The Reds earnt a penalty at the scrum and Dean Wills gained 40 metres with his kick to touch. The Reds forced the visitors into conceding a penalty on the 22 and Wills made no mistake from the kicking tee. Macc earned a penalty on halfway and opted to run the ball, it was a great option, making ground with each phase and after a break by fly-half Farrell they got close to the Reds line and quick ball put Oliver in for try that he converted to put the visitors 14-3 up after 18 minutes. The Reds needed to score next to prevent the visitors pulling away and they did so with interest in a 3 try burst in only 9 minutes. From a scrum between the 22 and 10 metre lines Redruth broke through on the left wing and after a kick ahead Bobby Winnington won the race to to touch down over the try line but was just off side from the kick so the try was quite correctly not awarded. A penalty was put in the 22 and the lineout maul made great ground and looked certain to make the line but progress was halted by Macc's big 2nd row Blackburn who went in the side and received a yellow card for his efforts. The resulting 5 metre lineout maul easily went over for Matt Pritchard to get the try well converted by Wills. A massive touch finder from Wills took play to the Macc 22, the maul made ground and then the Reds punched down the middle and earnt a penalty for a high tackle. The Reds opted for a scrum, and moved the ball to the left and after a couple of phases Chris Mills scored an unconverted try. From the kick-off Ed Pascoe made a fantastic take arching his back like a gymnast to claim the ball, the Reds stormed down field with many players involved and after Winnington made good ground Tommy Philips was on hand to finish off the move for a converted try to put the Reds ahead by 8 points on 35 minutes. The yellow card phase had cost the visitors 19 points. Despite both sides putting together some good phases neither were able to add to their totals before the break.
Halftime: Redruth 22 - 14 Macclesfield

In the 2nd period the visitors had some early pressure in the Reds 22 but never looked like breaking through and a penalty allowed Wills to clear to beyond halfway. The driving maul made great ground into the visitors 22 and during the ensuing phases Macc committed a number of penalty offences putting them on a warning. Another penalty following the lineout maul and No.8 Oliver was shown a yellow card. Redruth immediately took advantage and mauled over in Hellfire Corner for an unconverted Pritchard try. A breathless few minutes of rugby now ensued with both sides moving the ball, the phase ended with a Jess Tompsett interception allowing Wills to clear from the 22 to the visitors 10 metre line. Not for the first time Macc over threw the lineout and Prichard picked up the pieces. Jack King burst through and in the process of side-stepping the full back he slipped and the chance was lost. From a Macc scrum the Reds won a penalty which went into Hellfire Corner but at the lineout the Reds obstructed to allow Mac to clear to near halfway. Macc now had a period of possession but despite playing a lot of rugby they were unable to get into the Reds 22 and in the end conceded a penalty which Wills cleared to midway between the visitors 22 and 10 metre line. Now came the try of the match, a back peal move from the lineout saw Pritchard slip the ball to Sam James moving at pace and he sliced through the defence to run in from 40 metres for a great score. Wills converted superbly to make it 34-14 with 19 minutes remaining. Any thoughts of the match being over were quickly scotched as the Reds made a hash of the restart knocking on and gifting the visitors a scrum. Macc launched a wave of phases in the home 22 eventually scoring an unconverted try by Oliver. The visitors now went into full barbarians mode looking to get the bonus point try. Redruth joined in the fun and got play into the visitors 22 and after a number of phases within touching distance of the line they moved the ball left and looked to have gone over but the try was disallowed for a clear obstruction. From the penalty on their own line Macc of course ran the ball, after a number of phases they broke through the Red line and kicked ahead, running the ball back Redruth gave away a penalty on the 22. Macc ran the ball and did so again from another penalty, the Reds withstood the numerous phases but only at the expense of a yellow card to Shaun Buzza with 7 minutes left on the clock. The visitors again ran the ball from the penalty but the Red defensive wall stood firm and in the same phase of play got into the visitors 22. A penalty to Macc in their own 22, they ran the ball out again searching for the bonus point but it was not to be and the match ended without any further scoring.
Next week the Reds make the long trip to inform Hinckley.

Redruth
Tries: Pritchard (2), Mills, Philips, James.
Conv: Wills (3)
Pen: Wills
Yellow Card: Buzza

Macclesfield
Tries: Leake, Oliver H (2).
Conv: Oliver H (2)
Yellow Card: Blackburn, Oliver J.