"We made enough chances to win the game, but we lacked a bit of composure in crucial places," summed up Redruth's coach Nigel Hambly after a disappointing National League Division Three (South) defeat against Barking in Essex.
"This is a difficult place to come and get a result. The boys are really down in the dressing room, they felt we had enough possession to win the game but it's a problem turning it into points," he added as the Reds up and down season continued.
"We've got to be careful we don't get sucked in at the wrong end of the table, there is still a lot to play for this season," Hambly warned.
After a good start to the season the Eastenders have lost four out of five games since visiting the Recreation Ground in November and in this game the reds were on the attack from the kick off, Scott Martin putting over a 30 metre penalty in the first minute.
Redruth were well supported at Goresbrook including a small group of supporters who flew from Newquay to Stanstead.
With Glenn Cooper ill, James Geraty retained the number two shirt after a good performance against Westcombe Park. Sam Harrison, who has recently returned to the Reds after a spell with Penryn, was on the replacements bench and it was good to see him back in the red shirt.
After coping with Redruth's opening burst, Barking fly half Casey Mee started to get his side attacking and after running a penalty in the Reds' 22 a set move was finished off by strong running Jacques Steyn who touched down after nine minutes for a try that he also converted.
In good conditions Mee prompted several attacks as Barking had a good spell midway through the half and Steyn added two penalties to give the Essex side a 10 point lead.
Corin, who was having a superb game won a important lineout on Barking's throw five metres from the Reds' line with the home side poised to score.
Redruth worked the left-hand touchline through the kicking of Martin and Mark Richards "They are a big side and they do not like the ball put behind them," said Nigel Hambly. With Neil Corin dominating the line-out on both Redruth's and Barking's throws the Reds had a good share of the game territorially.
A rehearsed move from the back of a five metre scrum with several backs adding their weight to the maul drove Sam Heard over for an unconverted try in the 29th minute.
Redruth had a good chance just before half-time, but the highly promising Lewis Vinnecombe did not read Ian Hambly's intentions and was pushed into touch.
On the stroke of half-time Martin hit an upright with a penalty attempt from 30 metres as Barking took a 13-8 lead into the interval.
Redruth had been warned for offences at the tackle in the first half and following their first offence in the second period James Geraty was sent to the sin bin by referee Greg Garner.
Unusually during Geraty's absence there were no scrums, so the Reds were not allowed to bring on Sam Harrison as a temporary replacement. John Navin took over the throwing duties at the line out and Corin continued to take the ball with two-handed catches.
Redruth piled on the pressure and Hambly was almost over in the left- hand corner and after Barking had been penalised three times in quick succession replacement Steve Bowyer also took 10 minutes in the bin.
During this period of pressure the Redruth forwards lost the ball in a maul as they tried to drive over the line and Martin missed a 30 metre penalty he normally slots comfortably as the Reds let the game slip from their grasp.
Having survived this intense pressure Barking, with their coach Eddie Jones on as a replacement, started to win more ball. Following an interception Steyn was stopped just short of the posts, but Redruth conceded a penalty and the centre put over a straightforward kick to put Barking crucially two scores ahead.
Late in the game Redruth started to concede penalties which allowed Barking to control the game and scrum half Andy Eaton wrapped the game up with an unconverted try in the 77th minute.
In injury time Corin, from inside his own half broke through the defensive line and the Reds looked set for a score, Harrison, in support moved the ball on to Vinnecombe but the Barking cover cut the young winger off at the corner.
The game had been played in good spirit, but punches were thrown in the seventh minute of injury time and Steyn from in front of the posts finished the game with a penalty as Nathan Pascoe collected Redruth's 15th yellow card of the season.
Barking: J. Azzopardi, D. McDonald, G. Stannard, J. Steyn, L. Williams (rep S. Green 80m); C. Mee, A. Eaton; P. Ansell, J. Murphy (rep S. Bowyer 49m), E. Ambrose (rep M. Brosh 59m), M. Twydell, B. Stone, L. Matchett (rep E. Jones 70m), D. Cadby, P. Everitt (capt).
Redruth: I. Hambly; L. Vinnecombe, C. Bonds, P. Thirlby, S. Martin (rep M. Churcher 70m); B. Brown (capt), M. Richards; N. Douch, J. Geraty (rep S. Harrison 75m), S. Heard (rep J. Wright 58m), N. Corin, N. Pryor, N. Pascoe, J. Navin, S. Griffiths (rep S. Instance 75m)
Referee: Mr G. Garner (RFU)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article