Redruth 7, Otley 13

Staying overnight at Launceston before training yesyerday morning paid dividends for Otley as they were well prepared for their National League Two battle against a big side who take few prisoners at the Recreation Ground.

Both sides competed fiercely and, as the score suggests, defences were sound with Otley's being strong enough to deny their opponents a single penalty shot at goal.

Having been deducted ten points by the RFU, Redruth's league position belies their ability and it was no mean feat to come away with a win which has Otley on their own in second place four points behind Manchester, who entertain the Cornishmen on Saturday.

With the benefits of the slope, Redruth were determined to play in their opponents' half and the game began with far too much aimless kicking but it was Otley who made the early running, though an early penalty chance went begging.

However, Ian Shuttleworth, reverting to full back to allow Alastair Monks to come in at fly half, made sure with a second opportunity after 23 minutes - a lead which lasted for 16 minutes.

A penalty had Otley back inside their 22, and in the fight for the ball Nathan Bland was yellow-carded.

The penalty was kicked into the corner to set up the drive, which was well defended, but eventually the ball came back and scrum half Mark Richards nipped over for fly half Gareth Griffiths to convert.

Otley had to sustain a lengthy period of rucking and driving after the restart but their defence, even being a man light, held out and slowly they began to take control.

Shuttleworth took them to within a point with another penalty in the 58th minute, and after Rob Whatmuff was held on the line they upped the pressure to create panic in the home defence.

Flanker Nathan Pascoe found his way into the sin-bin and, after further indiscretions, Mr Sainsbury awarded a penalty try which Shuttleworth converted.

He unsuccessfully tried a couple of long-range kicks as Otley played out the final minutes, serving to keep Redruth under wraps.