Redruth 11 Blackheath 6

A great effort from Blackheath at one of the remotest and toughest venues in National League rugby. Despite the loss of both props and a second-row the Club kept the result in doubt right through to the final whistle in this pulsating and tightly fought contest.

Ultimately, however, it was the solitary try of the match that separated the two sides and a score which owed much to the strength and skill of Redruth's Kiwi number-eight Mark Bright. As half-time approached a penalty to touch gave the Reds their best attacking opportunity of the period and although the Club defence repelled the initial drive an ensuing ruck saw the ubiquitous Bright twist and squirm his way across the goal-line.

It gave Redruth a lead they would not relinquish. Paul Humphries had given the visitors a 6-0 advantage with two well struck 45 metre penalties, as Blackheath held the majority share in possession and territory, and once again the Club pack proved dominant in the tight phases. But the early loss of tight-head Des Brett was a major setback and a 23rd minute penalty from Reds' fly-half Brett Rule followed by Bright's unconverted try put the Cornishmen in the ascendancy.

In the second period, however, Tom White's booming kicks from full-back allied to skipper Tom Bason's outstanding work at the line-out gave Blackheath the attacking platform to continually put pressure on Redruth. But the Reds' defence held out (although it took a desperate tap-tackle to deny replacement scrum-half Ben Ibrahim late on) and the only further score was a Rule penalty on the hour after the hosts broke out of defence and caught Blackheath off-side.

The losing bonus point may prove scant reward for their efforts but at least Blackheath can reflect on their best away performance as they look forward to hosting London Scottish next Saturday in their biggest match of the season to date at Rectory Field (KO 2.30pm).

Scorers: Redruth Tries: Bright. Pens: Rule 2. Blackheath Pens: Humphries 2