REDRUTH 29pts WHARFDALE 8pts - REDRUTH opened their National Division Two season, with, a home victory against Yorkshire side Wharfdale.

The Redruth side, despite not being quite at full strength with John Navin and Damien Cook on the side lines, were in rampant mood and victory with four tries, brought a welcome bonus point.

Amongst a number of new signings on show at the Recreation Ground were lock forward Ben Sedgwick, Chris Woods at 15 and centre P J Didlow.

Once again the referee was Richard Parker-Sedgemoor who showed his ability to keep the game moving - especially by his interpretation of the advantage law.

Wharfdale had first use of the wind with the Reds playing towards their favourite corner at the Town End.

Playing in green and white, the visitors, looking lively, took an early lead, in the 11th minute, with a penalty in front of the posts, kicked by full-back Mike Bedworth.

In the 20th minute, at the other end, winger Nathan Pedley, spilled a chance, with the try line at his mercy. Minutes later stalwart all action man Pedley, was yellow carded.

Building attacking platforms, Wharfdale caused the home side several problems but the Reds' Mark Richards, Richard Carroll and Craig Bonds, together with the front row trio, prevented several scoring chances.

In the 33rd minute, Simon Horsfall, a right wing speed merchant, finished a good move with a try for the visitors. Despite this not being converted it gave the Dales club an eight point lead.

With the return of Pedley, the Reds attacked and following an infringement by the Dales club Paul Thirlby opened the home score with his accurate kick over the posts. Minutes later, with half time looming, Thirlby was off target with another chance.

With the breeze in the second half the Reds attacked the Strawberry Lance corner and the forwards did the business to drive hooker Mark Harper over for a try. This tied the scores at eight points all.

With a new look trio of old favourite Dane Goodwin, new signing James Mann from Penryn and Nathan Pascoe, the back row proved very effective.

Both wings, Pedley and Vinnicombe, made valuable contributions by pulling off some good stop tackles. However, action man lock forward Richard Carroll was the second Red to receive a yellow card. Referee Parker-Sedgemoor also had words with Andrew Baggett, the Warfdale skipper, who looked a tidy centre.

The try that gave Reds a deserved lead came in the 55th minute. It started on the halfway line before the ebullient Dan Goodman took it over the line. It was converted by Thirlby to make the score 15-8.

With the Reds now urged on by the sparse crowd the visitors began to make mistakes and this included visiting number 8 Rob Baldwin being yellow carded.

Wharfdale did fight back to have the chance of a try but Vinnicombe saved the situation for the home side. Making a change in the front row the Yorkshire side's Fraser Lovatt, came on for Neil Dickenson.

Play was again from end to end with Red's newcomer Ben Sedgwick looking most capable. Prop Ashley Morcumb came on for Daren Jacues to ensure the strength of the home scrum.

Mark Richards, although well marked, was playing a "blinder" and was unlucky not to put points on the board. Red's centre Craig Bonds also showed a lean pair of heels to the visitors with his tries - which were duly converted by Thirlby.

Wharfdale were down but not quite and still looked capable of scoring several times. They bought on Chris Meehan for try-scorer Horsfall .

Goodwin, was again in the action, for the home team.

By running a fourth try, the Reds gained a bonus point, when Vinnicombe, went over, close to the uprights for Thirlby to convert. The final scoreboard show a home victory by 29-8. For the Reds Mark Richards, again, was in the action man as were the home forwards. New centre P J Gidlow, sponsored by the Logan Rock Inn, looks to be a real find.

Reds fully deserved to get the points, winning with a certain amount of style, that augers well for the season.