6:36pm Sunday 5th September 2010
Redruth 15, Wharfedale 16
Wharfedale stalwart centre Andy Hodgson registered his 100th National League try as Wharfedale clinched a 16-15 win at Redruth.
His 74th-minute touchdown, with Tom Davidson’s conversion, edged the Greens into the lead for the first time.
It preceded a nail-biting finale, in which Redruth’s Aaron Penberthy missed three penalties to clinch the result, and Greens full back Adam Whaites made a dramatic try-line tackle to foil a late surge.
Redruth’s frustration was exacerbated by the fact that the Dalesmen’s winning score came while skipper Rob Baldwin was serving out a yellow card.
Redruth drew first blood with a well-worked converted try by centre Steve Kennard in the 13th minute. Davidson cleared the first of three splendidly struck penalties just two minutes later, his second (39 mins) seeing the half-time score to 7-6.
Penberthy and Davidson swapped penalties soon after the restart, and on 54 minutes Redruth No 8 Mark Bright crossed for what might have been a match-winning try. Penberthy failed with the conversion, however, and the Greens stayed within a score of the lead.
Hodgson’s try was a treat to watch – at least for the travelling fans. A steal on a Redruth line-out claimed the ball. Hodgson received 15 metres out and no defender could lay a hand on him as he sped through under the posts, leaving Davidson a routine conversion.
The match was very far from over, but sheer grit and dogged persistence saw the Greens through to a welcome final whistle.
There was added merit in the performance in that Wharfedale were forced to reorganise for the second half, following injury to stand-off Tom Barrett. Davidson took over Barrett’s berth, while the general reshuffle saw flanker David Hughes in an unaccustomed role on the wing.
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