The Red & Blacks made the trip west last Saturday to take on league leaders Truro. The result was a cracker of a game, writes Allyn Chetland. For Wellington Harry Tredwin came in for Andrew Bellamy at hooker, Nev Pitman replaced the injured Jamie Hayman on the wing, Ben Gamlin returned from injury on the other wing and Trae Gosling returned to his regular position in the backrow.
The Red & Blacks started the game very brightly against the much larger and bulker home side and soon took an early lead via a spectacular 65metre solo try by centre George Hooper which was majorised by fullback Tom Hawkings.
Almost immediately from the restart The Red & Blacks scored another try when Gosling thundered over wide out after excellent work by Wellington’s backline, the conversion from the touch line went wide. At this point Truro realised they had a game on their hands and pegged back The Red & Blacks with two tries of their own, one of which was converted to even the scores.
The game was being played at high pace with both teams having further scoring chances. There was an exchange of penalty kicks between the teams, with Hawkings being successful for The Red & Blacks, before Gosling scored his second of the match when he powered over after a series of rucks on Truro’s line,
Hawkings majorised enabling The Red & Blacks to re-take the lead. However, once again The Red & Blacks were pegged back by the home side when they scored their third try of the half which was also converted to again tie the scores.
On the stroke of half time The Red & Blacks turned down a penalty, and a certain 3 points, in front of the posts that would have given them the lead going into the break, however an attacking scrum was chosen and from the resultant passage of play the ball was knocked on resulting in the score being all square at half time.
The second half ebbed & flowed with both teams having excellent passages of play which could have resulted in further tries if not for fine defence by both teams. It was a tense and exciting half lacking nothing to entertain the crowd. Ultimately the game was decided in the last 15mins of the match which saw The Red & Blacks being reduced to 13 players at one point due to players being sent to the sin-bin. Truro took full advantage and ran in two converted tries making the final score 36-22 to home side.
Despite the loss The Red & Blacks can take great pride in putting together the best performance of the season so far and deserved to take something from the game but will be disappointed that they could not finish the game with the full complement which was ultimately the difference between the sides. Chris Kitto, Jack Woodland and the whole of the front row were immense all game whilst outback Hooper thoroughly deserved to be named Man of The Match.