Chinnor were left wondering where did it all go wrong after their first visit to Redruth. The analysis will show that the 17 unanswered points in the 1st quarter and 20 points in the last fifteen minutes, plus indiscipline made this game a lot easier for Redruth than it should have been.

The overnight stay in Cornwall was needed and the players looked fresh when they entered the field of play. Playing away from the infamous "Hell Fire Corner" Chinnor started brightly, but after 6 minutes Redruth's Kellythorne scored the first try which was not converted. On 14 minutes a second try was scored by the leaving Sam Parsons from Redruth in the corner; the reality of this try was that the scorer was offside by "a country mile" as stated by Twittering @chinnorrugby. Less than 5 minutes after this try Redruth scored again when Kellythorne got his second of the day.

Chinnor then seemed to wake up and so great forward pressure resulted in the Chinnor pack pushing Redruth back from a scrum and gaining possession. Slow methodical work at the rolling maul resulted in Joe Pickett being perfectly placed to drop over the line for a try on 23 minutes. The subsequent conversion showed Chinnor 10 points behind at 17-7 which is how the game stood at half time.

Chinnor must have been feeling confident as they came out for the 2nd half as they were now playing down the slope and would have been looking forward to closing the gap between the two sides. The first score of the second half went to Redruth however as Duncan scored the vitally important 4th bonus point try from close range which was converted by Thirlby. 24 - 7.

On 62 minutes, Chinnor appeared to be starting to apply pressure to Redruth which was rewarded by a great try from Pip Seymour and conversion by Cathcart to put the score at 24 - 14. Chinnor supporters were looking for a bonus point of some form as they did appear to be in the ascendency.

But at 67 minutes the chariot wheels started to come off and it all went horribly wrong. First Ed Vickers was sin binned for a technical offence that was more automatic reaction than premeditated. This resulted in the first of 3 tries within 12 minutes as Redruth really got a head of steam to overcome the Chinnor resistance.

On 74 minutes a flash of red resulted in Frank Jones being sent off and all of a sudden Chinnor were playing with 13 men and the Redruth supporters were baying for more tries. A final flurry for Redruth as Duncan and Hambly went over for tries, but the drop goal from 50 metres by Ashley Hoskins drove a the stake well and truly through the heart of the Chinnor side.

There is no doubt that the score does flatter Redruth - there were 2 offences that were missed by the officials that came at crucial times of the game. BUT, Chinnor were given a cold hard lesson in how this level of rugby is played; keeping discipline at all times so that 15 players are on the field is vitally important and in many ways proved the downfall of a team which really played some good expansive rugby at times.

Redruth are a good side and will be; I forecast, in the Top 3 at the end of the season. The Redruth club is a great rugby club and the travelling Chinnor supporters were made very welcome and we look forward to meeting them again at Kingsey Road later in the season.