Redruth 13 Wharfedale 34: Dalesmen breach the Cornish fortress

A measure of Wharfedale's achievement is that this was Redruth's heaviest home defeat for many seasons: club officials were left searching for the last time the Recreation Ground fortress was breached so comprehensively.

Despite taking an early 6-0 lead through a drop-goal and penalty from their young stand-off Aaron Penburthy, Redruth never assumed any degree of control.

The Dalesmen dominated the forwards battle and capitalised on the sound base thus provided with incisive running and first-class finishing.

A purple patch midway through the first half brought three tries in 10 minutes and helped the visitors into a 19-6 half-time lead. First to cross was full-back Luke Gray, following a fine break by centre Andy Hodgson. Another searing run by Hodgson set up Iain Dixon's try, the winger's scoring pass courtesy of centre Chris Malherbe.

Wing James Tincknell rounded three defenders to score in the corner. Mark Bedworth added two conversions.

A drop-goal by Gray on 46 minutes stretched the lead, before Tincknell finished off the best team try of the season, inter-passing with Malherbe and prop Chris Steel.

Leading try-scorer Latu Maka'afi charged through a gap for the Greens' final try and Bedworth converted before No 8 Mark Bright scored a consolation converted try.

Redruth: L Vinnicombe; N Pedley, C Bonds, P Thirlby, N Simmons; A Penburthy, M Richards; D Jacques, M Gidlow, S Heard, L Collins, D Cook, N Pascoe, C Fuca, M Bright.

Wharfedale: L Gray; J Tincknell, A Hodgson, C Malherbe, I Dixon (S Horsfall 71); M Bedworth, S Cottrell (D Matthews 76); A Mason, G Hindle (M Chivers 51), C Steel (S Graham 72), O Renton (R Brown 16), A Allen, L Maka'afi, D Solomi, R Baldwin.

Referee: L Pearce.

Otley travel to Sedgley Park tomorrow (8pm) after Saturday's game was postponed due to a frozen pitch.