As Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" rang out over the tannoy system, a crowd of 900 packed into the seated stand like sardines. The visitors were welcomed onto the pitch with a generous applause but the hosts were greeted by a tumultuous roar which reflected the upturn in their supporters' expectations following 3 straight wins.

In the first half, Otley played up the slope and enjoyed much of the territorial advantage. On many occassions in the first 20 minutes, Redruth attempted to kick for position down the standside but each time the ball was fielded by Otley skipper Ian Shuttleworth who returned the favour with some astutely placed "Garryowens" which Redruth's back 3 were struggling to deal with.

Otley laid seige to the Reds line early on but stout defence enabled the hosts to repel the danger. Otley centres Rob Whatmuff and Paul Mooney plunged into the Reds midfield while the forward pack continually battered around the fringes in the sticky conditions.

Shuttleworth converted a long range penalty attempt to give his side a 0-3 lead after 25 minutes but Redruth had most of the possession for the remainder of the half.

Following what seemed like excellent turnover work by second row Richard Snowball, Redruth were awarded a penalty for an offence by another Otley player and the ball was kicked into the Otley 22.

With prop Kris Fullman leading by example, the Otley pack repelled the Reds' catch-and-drive attempts but the hosts continued to batter at the Otley line in what were increasingly sloppy conditions. Otley's defence held tight in an extremely physical 5 minutes of rugby but Otley were reduced to 14 men when flanker Nathan Bland was sent to the sin-bin.

With time running out, scrum-half Mark Richards slipped through a gap 1 yard from the line to squeeze over. Griffiths added the extras and the referee signalled the end of the first half with the score at 7-3 to the Reds.

Otley had to repel a similar phase of rugby early in the second half with the Reds once again battering at the defence just 5 yards from the line but this time they were unable to cross.

Otley proceeded to dominate once again. Excellent ball retention with the back-row to the fore enabled Otley to grind down the Reds. Shuttleworth converted another penalty to reduce the arrears to 7-6 after 60 minutes.

With 8 minutes left on the clock, Otley delivered the killer blow in Redruth's own infamous "hellfire corner". Redruth did well to defend a catch-and-drive but failed to cope in the ensuing scrummages. With the Reds cartwheeling back at a rate of knots, the Reds front row popped up on 2 occasions. On the 3rd re-set, Otley's pack pushed the Reds over their own line but just as No.8 Matt Stockdale was about to drop on the ball a Redruth player came in from an offside position. The referee had no hesitation in correctly awarding a penalty try. Shuttleworth converted to make it 7-13 to Otley.

Redruth had one last chance to score when they had a line-out 5 yards from the Otley line but more outstanding defensive work prevented the hosts from scoring. An excellent tackle from left winger Danny Smith ultimately resulted in a turnover as the impact forced Richards to knock on as he went down the short-side.

Otley cleared into the opposition half and more aggressive tackling prevented the Reds from making the breakthrough.

The final whistle sounded and Otley celebrated a hard earned victory which silenced the home support. Another excellent victory on the road following the previous weekend's derby win at Wharfedale.

Otley now look forward to taking on Cambridge at Cross Green next weekend.

Redruth: R Thirlby, Vinnicombe, Meredith, PJ Gidlow, Bonds (capt), Griffiths, Richards, Jacques, Cooper, Joyce, Collins, Cook, Pascoe, Fuca, Bright

Otley: Shuttleworth (capt); Parsons, Whatmuff, Mooney, Smith; Monks, Easterby; Trethewey, Steele (Plevey 55), Fullman; Snowball, Williams; Tiffany, Bland, Stockdale

Referee: D Sainsbury (RFU)

MATCH STATISTICS

Redruth 7

Tries: Richards

Cons: Griffiths

Otley 13

Tries: Penalty Try

Cons: Shuttleworth

Pens: Shuttleworth (2)

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