Clifton will be disappointed with this result but Redruth will take encouragement from their performance which ensured they came from behind at critical moments.

Almost from the kick off, Scrum half Blake Boyland sped under the posts to open the home team account with Kieran Hill converting before an injury led to him leaving the action with Mitch Spencer taking on the fly half role.

Redruth’s first excursion into the Clifton 22 gave Jordan Gott a well taken penalty chance.

Clifton gave away penalties and territory, and swift handling sent winger Frank Nowell in to put Redruth ahead with Gott adding the extras.

Clifton second row Henry Harper surged over to hit back for the first of his two tries with Spencer converting.

Injuries led to a prolonged first half and Harper scored his second with Spencer again converting before Redruth hooker Luke Barnes crossed with Gott converting.

Reds replacement, Mackenzie Oliver powered across with Gott increasing the Redruth lead. Soon though,.Redruth went offside and Spencer brought the scores level to increase tension.

A pulsating final period started with Clifton prop Ricky Cano driving over and Spencer converting to set up a seven point lead. Redruth showed determination with full back Morgan prominent to create a chance for Nowell’s second try converted by Gott to ensure the honours were even.

Some plus factors for Clifton included the return of Alex Howman from injury and he took the man of the match award and having to adapt to the loss of Hill so early in the game.

Clifton Head Player-Coach , Luke Cozens, who was rested for this game summed up by saying, “Credit to Redruth they came and made it difficult for us to get going all afternoon. We still got ourselves into a position to win the game but lacked the maturity and leadership to get the job done and in the end it could have gone either way. We discussed at the start of the season about growing and improving together in difficult situations. Losing Keiran Hill at 10 early in the game was a perfect scenario to test us. We didn’t get it right which we will discuss this week at training and then build towards a difficult away fixture in Chester where we will need to be on our game from the go to get the result “.

Roger Opie