REDRUTH 28pts NORTH WALSHAM 27pts

Redruth moved up to sixth place in National League Division Three (South) after a well-deserved win against promotion chasing North Walsham at the Recreation Ground.

Conditions were cold but dry as the Reds drew another good sized crowd, well over four figures, to see the side in action who are currently holding on to Launceston's coat-tails.

Cornwall's, top referee, David May, was in charge of a game that saw the Reds chalk up their ninth league victory.

Fortunes certainly swayed in the final quarter as the Reds were forced to hang on for grim death in those pulsating final minutes of injury time.

Back in the starting line up, the sponsors made player coach James Lancaster made man of the match for an exhilarating effort.

Skipper Bede Brown also played a full part as did Mark Richards, Craig Bonds and Ian Hambly along with the evergreen Neil Douch.

Starting well, the Reds scored their first try after a great wing run by Lewis Vinnecombe. The conversion was off target, but Scott Martin increased the lead with a penalty kick.

Growing in confidence, the young home outsides snapped up a second try, well taken by Paul Thirlby, to open up a 13 points difference.

Near the half-time break, wing speedster Andy Thorpe galloped a long way for his try.

Craig Bonds had a tremendous first half.

On the restart, the home side were soon adding further points after playing some fine 15 man rugby.

Brown touched down, but the conversion was off target and minutes later Martin and Holmes traded penalty shots at the uprights for a 21-8 score.

More productive play secured points for the dashing Thirlby, taking his chance well for a second cracking try which Martin converted.

Both sides introduced replacements and in the final ten minutes the home followers had anxious moments as the visitors showed their calibre.

Liam Harrion, an outstanding backrow player, crossed for a very good try and Holmes converted at 28-15.

From another interception, Simon Sinclair, the visiting winger, raced from deep in his own half for a try, and Holmes, with a majestic kick, added two further points to make it 28-22.

In injury time, the Reds had to dig deep and prop "Oggy" Wright was yellow carded. This forced a front row reshuffle with Douch recalled to shore up the scrum.

With the seconds ticking away the visitors were on the attack and the Reds defence was broken with a try by Holmes, an all-action scrum-half, who had a great clash with Richards.

From a maul, in the scoreboard corner, Holmes got the try for a nerve-wracking 28-27 scoreline.

Fortunately for the Reds, the conversion by Holmes just missed to leave the home side winners by a single point.

Redruth: I Hambly, L Vinnecombe, P Thirlby, C Bonds, S Martin rep M Churcher (2nd half), B Brown (capt), M Richards, N Douch (rep N Douch 60m, and 75m for Wright), S Harrison (rep G Cooper), S Heard (rep J Wright (yellow carded 73m), N Pryor, N Corin, N Pascoe, J Navin, J Lancaster.