Ten Bears Academy players were in dual-reg action over the weekend, including a debut try from Gethin O’Callaghan for Old Reds.
National League Two West
Old Redcliffians 45-40 Redruth
Gethin O’Callaghan was on the scoresheet as Old Redcliffians came from behind, scoring in the last play, to beat Redruth 45-40.
The game was even throughout, especially in the first half as both sides scored three tries each.
Jon Cook ran a marvellous short line to score Old Reds first try of the afternoon, either side of two Redruth driving maul tries making the score 14-7 after just 11 minutes.
The breathless action continued, as the hosts replied soon after through Harrison Murphy, who took the ball down the blindside wing following an Old Reds maul of their own.
Both sides benefitted from quick penalties late in the first half, with Chris Rovery and Will Luxford crossing the paint directly from tapping and carrying over.
After an end to end first half, Redruth were ahead, leading 21-19.
O’Callaghan scored early in the second half, crossing the line in the corner after receiving the ball wide on the touchline to give Old Reds the lead for the first time in the match.
But their opponents fought back, earning a penalty try after a five-metre scrum was collapsed by the hosts.
The penalty try restored Redruth’s lead, making the score 28-24, and led to two Old Reds players being shown yellow cards.
Redruth were able to make their advantage count as Matt Blewitt went over for an unconverted try following a driving maul which travelled almost 20 metres.
A Jalen Curry try for Old Reds in the 58th minute reduced the deficit to just two points.
The visitors spun the ball wide to Sam James who picked the ball up from his bootlaces to cross the line making the score 40-31, further extending his team’s lead.
Patience was key for the Bristolian side as they scored on 72 minutes. After numerous phases, outside centre, Cook, ran in his second of the day making the score 40-38 and setting up a grand finale for the game.
In the last play of the game, Old Reds scored through replacement Kacey Pike whose converted try took the spoils for the hosts as they won 45-40.
Old Redcliffians travel down the M5 to Veritas Park for their next match, where they will take on 7th placed Taunton Titans.
National League One
Rotherham Titans 45-19 Dings Crusaders
Seven dual-registration players were in action for Dings Crusaders as they slipped to a 45-19 defeat away at Rotherham Titans.
The Crusaders got off to the faster start of the two sides, racing into a seven point lead as hooker, Tomas Gwilliam, crossed the line from the back of a driving maul.
Alongside prop pair, Louie Trevett and Jimmy Halliwell, in addition to Aaron Tull, Harry Rowson and Deago Bailey, Gwilliam’s side were the recipients of a harsh lesson from a well drilled Rotherham team.
Player of the match, John Okafor, scored a first half hattrick for the hosts seeing them lead 22-7 at half time.
The Titans continued their domination into the second half as Callum Bistin crashed over taking his sides lead to 25 points, thanks to the boot of Lloyd Hayes adding a penalty and a conversion.
Sam Edwards made an impact from the bench as he scored in the 70th minute, after receiving the ball from winger, Bailey, whose creative line got the Crusaders in behind the Rotherham defence.
In the late stages of the game there was still time for both sides to score as Loma Kivalu and Sol Taufa crossed the whitewash for their respective teams.
Dings will be back at Shaftesbury Park next weekend as they host Richmond who are unbeaten in the league so far this term.
National League Two West
Camborne 33-27 Hornets
Sam Scott and Ethan Surrey both started for Hornets as they were beaten 33-27 away against Camborne.
Both teams scored converted tries early as Adam Francis and Ben Priddy crossed the line inside five minutes.
Two more Hornets scores in the remainder of the first half as well as a try for the hosts took the score to 20-12 at the interval.
In the second half Camborne hit back, scoring three tries, including another for Priddy to take the lead.
Hornets scored one themselves in the second half as winger, Owen Griffith, crossed the paint but it wasn’t enough as the hosts held on to win 33-27.
Hornets left Cornwall with a two bonus points and will host Bournville next time out.
