With both sides on a good run of form something had to give in this match and it was Cinderford who just edged out Redruth in a fully committed encounter.
When the teams met down in Cornwall back in October the 54-11 trouncing Cinderford took that day was a low point in their season, so this result is a testament to the huge strides forward the team has made since then. In bitterly cold conditions it was the visitors who made a positive start to the match and a chip ahead was gathered by the impressive Alex Ducker, who put Matt Bowden over for the opening try, which Brett Rule converted.
James Moffat reduced the deficit for Cinderford when he landed a penalty as both sides continued to show plenty of intensity in their play. With half-time approaching the home side kicked a penalty into the corner to set up an attacking lineout and their catch and drive saw No8 George Evans go over for an unconverted try. Redruth regained the lead before the interval though, when they went through the phases from the re-start and Bowden crossed for his second try, which Rule converted.
The visitors outside-half was off target with a straight-forward looking penalty soon after the re-start and Cinderford went back in front when hooker Henry Walker scored from another catch and drive, with Moffat converting. The home full-back then landed his second penalty before more concerted pressure from the Cinderford forwards eventually led to flanker Jack Shields scoring what was to prove a decisive try after 55 minutes.
Redruth threw everything at their opponents in the closing stages and replacement Sam Parsons went over for a try, which Rule converted to reduce the gap to two points, but Cinderford closed out the game to clinch a hard earned victory, their seventh in a row.
Cinderford; James Moffat, Sam Goatley, Reuben Norville, Rob Winchle, Harry Robinson, Liam Hemming, Jimmy Williams, George Porter (Capt.), Henry Walker, James Tideswell, Dale Lemon, Ed King, Jack Shields, Will Keenan, George Evans.
Replacements; Jack Williams, Joe Smart, Adam Balding, Aaron Ryan, Alex Frame.