REDRUTH ended Dings’ seven match unbeaten run with a ruthless second-half performance at Shaftesbury Park. The Cornishmen were given a stern test in the first-half by a pumped-up Dings side playing in front of a bumper crowd, but they dominated proceedings after the break and, crucially secured a try bonus-point in the last play of the game, much to the delight of director or rugby Nigel Hambly.

He said: “If I’m being honest, I hated every minute of that game. We knew Dings would be tough on their own patch, and the first-half was a real arm wrestle. But credit to the lads for upping their effort after the break. We spent a lot of time working on ways to stop the Dings driving line-out, and I think we managed to do that successfully today. I was particularly pleased with our defensive display - we didn’t concede a single point in the final 75 minutes. Esher are still in the box seat to win the division, but all we can do it keep the pressure on them by continuing to win our remaining games, and see what happens form there."

Dings made a rip-roaring start to the game and were on the scoreboard inside the first minute. Scrum-half Tom Knight took a quick tap, broke the line and fed supporting half-back partner Ollie Millner, who darted over to score a try he also converted.

Redruth hit back on 21 minutes - Number 8 Shaun Buzza crashed over from the back of a driving maul to get Reds off the mark. Stand-off Fraser Honey added the extras to level the scores. Crusaders were in the ascendency for the remainder of an energetic and exciting first-half, but failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage. Redruth made a fleeting visit into Dings territory on 30 minutes and came away with three-points, courtesy of Honey’s boot. But the sides were back level on 35 minutes when Millner slotted a penalty from straight in front the uprights to make it 10-10 at the turnaround.

Dings came out firing early in the second-half, but nothing came of their early dominance. The visitors, however, grew stronger as the half progressed and took the lead on the hour mark when flanker Sam Stevens crossed. Honey added the extras. Four second-half yellow cards for Dings didn’t help their cause, but it looked as though the visitors would have to settle for a 17-10 victory. But a try for centre Jack Simmons in the 79th minute and one for wing Kyle Bradley in the 80th minute - both converted by Honey - secured the try bonus-point for Redruth.

Dings director of rugby Steam Williams said: “Redruth showed what a good side they are today. Maybe we should have been in front at the break, and if we could have got our noses in front by a bit, if could have been a different result. But they really put the squeeze on us after the break, and in the end were deserved winners."

Dings Team; 15 Tovey; 14 Rowson, 13 Smith,12 Arscott, 11 Foot, 10 Millner, 9 Knight, 1 Turner, 2 Anderson, 3 Kloska, 4 Bilton (c), 5 Hodge, 6 Rice, 7 Beer, 8 Rovery. Reps: 16 Appleton, 17 English, 18 Slade, 19 Gasson, 20 Harbinson.

Redruth Team; 15 Trewin; 14 Bradley, 13 Simmons, 12 Gilbert, 11Bonds, 10 Honey, 9 Oulton, 1Philips, 2 Brown, 3 Tompsett, 4 Prisk, 5 Barker, 6 Stevens (c), 7 Grubb, 8 Buzza. Reps: 16 Williams, 17 Oliver, 18 Fuca, 19 Parsons, 20 Howe.

Attendance: 525

Half-time: 10-10

Dings scores: Millner 1. Conversion: Millner 2. Penalty: Millner 35.

Redruth scorers: Buzza 21, Stevens 60, Simmons 79, Bradley 80. Conversions: Honey 22, 61, 79, 80. Penalty: Honey 30.

Referee: Alan Chandrachud