Eight tries see Reds put Clifton to sword

By BILL HOOPER

Redruth…………. 49pts

Clifton…………….. 12pts

Why you wear a gumshield: Jack Oulton swallow dives over for a Redruth try

REDRUTH produced a stellar performance to run in eight tries and leave Clifton in the shade.

It was a display that left director of rugby Nigel Hambly grinning from ear to ear.

He said: “I couldn't ask for much more. We put together our chances and took them well.

“Last week, we probably made as many, but didn't finish them and that almost cost us, but we were much more clinical.”

Hambly was delighted with his side's workrate. He said: “The boys worked hard for the full 80, our defence was awesome. We gave Clifton few opportunities and must have frustrated them.

“I was pleased for all the lads, but Connor Gilbert coming in and scoring two tries and putting in a huge work-rate pleased me, while the return of Jack Oulton at scrum-half helped the side move through the phases much quicker.”

Redruth were on the front foot from the off and were soon making inroads in the Clifton half. An early penalty was kicked to the corner and, from the catch-and-drive, hooker Richard Brown was driven over for the opening try after five minutes.

Try number two wasn't long after. Another lineout in Clifton territory saw Oulton break the cover and streak in from 25 metres to score under the posts, fly-half Fraser Honey added the extras.

Before the end of the first quarter, try number three had been chalked up, Gilbert involved to set up wing Kyle Bradley in the corner.

Ed Pascoe dives over for another Redruth try

Clifton finally got some territory and made the most of a catch-and-drive through number eight Niall Gibbons. Fly-half Luke Cozens judged the conversion to perfection to make it 22-7 at halftime.

Any lingering hopes Clifton had of a comeback were quashed immediately after half-time. A fumble from the restart presented the Reds with an attacking platform, with Gilbert at the centre of affairs, allowing Edd Pascoe to score.

Honey wasn't having the best of days with the boot, but he kicked a fine penalty from 40 metres to bring up the 30 points.

Oulton intercepted a pass and made ground before Gilbert again provided the scoring pass for lock Steele Barker, Honey bagging his second conversion.

Clifton's day didn't improve when centre Marcus Nel was dismissed for foul play.

The Red machine was relentless as Gilbert completed his brace as he cut though the line, Honey converted to make it 44-7.

Oulton then completed the Redruth haul with try number eight, before Gibbons scored his second try near the end to make the scoreline a little more respectable.

Clifton head coach Matt Salter rued their poor start. “We made far too many mistakes and we were 17-0 before the end of the first quarter. It wasn't our day and we will look to bounce back.”