On a pretty miserable afternoon Redruth were delighted to welcome Imperial Medics to help celebrate the Reds 150th year, the match being a reprise of what once was a traditional Good Friday fixture. Earlier in the afternoon the Redruth Veterans had taken on the veterans of St.Mary’s Hospital and the Reds had come out on top by 54 – 12.

The Medics started proceedings playing towards Hellfire Corner, against the strong breeze and in front of a crowd of over 300. The early phases were littered with scrum penalties and dropped passes and the game struggled to get any flow. But after 9 minutes the Reds put together a good move taking play up the field and Connor Chesterfield won the race to an Ashley Hosking kick ahead to score in the Scoreboard Corner. Dean Wills converted superbly from the touchline to put the Reds 7 points up. The Medics had come to run and were looking threatening with the ball in hand but the boot of Wills consistently pushed them back into their own half. On the 29 minutes mark the Reds added to their total; they were held up from a 5 metre tap penalty but after the Medics put the drop out straight into touch the pressure continued. From the 5 meter scrum the Reds hammered away at the line and finally prop Oli Simmons was over for an unconverted try. The Medics now almost scored the try of the match, fielding a kick in their own 22 they launched a great counter attack and took play into the Reds 22, a try looked certain but a poor pass ended the move. The visitors kept the Reds under pressure but good Redruth defence prevented a score.
Halftime: Redruth 2nds 12 – 0 Imperial Medics

The Medics started the second period on fire, a break down the short side of a ruck and then an outrageous offload saw then go fully 50 metres into the Scoreboard Corner for a try by ‘Ronnie’. The conversion failed but the Medics had their tails up. Further pressure from the visitors made the Reds defend desperately and on 51 minutes the Medics added to their total with another unconverted try. The try scorer is unknown but we do know he is going to be a doctor! With only 2 points between the sides the game was now in the balance. The Reds restarted and Shaun Buzza immediately drove the Medics catcher into touch on the 22. The Reds now pressed and after a number of near misses Jarod Hambly went over following a tap penalty from close to the line, Wills converted to stretch the lead to 9 points on 56 minutes. The match continued to swing one way and then the other with both sides running the ball at will despite the damp conditions. The Reds had a try denied due to being held up in goal but a few minutes later Will Luscombe was on the end of a good move to score the final try of the match. Wills converted and the match ended without any further scores.

Many thanks to the Imperial Medics for making the long journey down from London to help the Reds celebrate 150 years, I hope they enjoyed their weekend and maybe this fixture could again become a regular fixture.

Redruth
Tries: Chesterfield, Simmons, Hambly, Luscombe.
Conv: Wills (3).

Imperial Medics
Tries: Ronnie + A.N.Other (Doctor to be)

Referee: James Milliner