SCORING three tries proved not to be enough for Redruth on Saturday as they ended up drawing the Cornish derby 15-15.
A penalty six minutes from time take by Cornish All Black’s skipper and full-back Kieron Lewitt was his fifth in an entertaining game at Polson Bridge.
The Reds, who won the encounter against their Duchy rivals earlier this season 14-13, outscored their opponents on the try front with Ben Priddey going over twice and replacement Dan Rutter touching down as well.
But ultimately they were left to rue the fact they did not have a regular goal kicker in the side as all three conversion attempts were missed.
They still took home some pride in retaining the Tribute Cornwall RFU Super Cup, although Lewitt fluffed a chance at the death with a penalty to bring the trophy to his club.
Returning to the Redruth matchday squad was scrum-half Greg Goodfellow after being sidelined through injury.
Also putting on a Red jersey again was Lewis Vinnicombe after the winger re-signed for the team from Truro.
A lead was built up by the hosts with two penalties from Lewitt before Priddey closed the gap to a single point with his first try of the day.
The openside flanker was the last man to get his hand on the ball from a driving maul which barged over the All Blacks line.
Kyle Marriott had to go off for the visitors before half time as he picked up an injury making a superb tackle, preventing a certain try in the process.
Another Lewitt penalty meant the Launceston club went in at the break with a 9-5 lead.
After the interval, the Reds turned back to the catch-and-drive move which had brought their first try and managed to make it work again with Priddey once more the finisher in the play.
The conversion was missed by Rhodri McAtee, who also sent a penalty wide shortly afterwards meaning the away team led by just a point.
With his fourth penalty of the match, Lewitt kicked the All Blacks back in front but it was not long before Redruth had regained the scoreboard advantage.
This time the try was created by centre Sam Parsons, making his 100th appearance for the side, who burst through the home defensive line before offloading to Rutter to run in.
Again the conversion was missed, but it was Rutter who took on the attempt from the touchline.
Proceedings were levelled up again in the 74th minute when Neilson Webber, playing against his former club, was penalised and sin-binned for preventing a quick release.
It was a chance taken up by Lewitt for the fifth penalty score of the match, making it 15-15.
He got the opportunity to win the tie and the trophy for the All Blacks late on, but he could not direct his kick between the posts meaning the spoils were shared.
On Boxing Day, Redruth return to derby action again as they host Camborne for the Rodda’s Milk Cup.
Kick-off at the Rec is at 2pm.
REDRUTH: 15 Kessell (Rutter, 64), 14 Vinnicombe, 13 Webber, 12 Parsons, 11 Wedlake, 10 McAtee, 9 Goodfellow; 1 Phillips, 2 Brown, 3 Williams (Drew, 67), 4 Cook, 5 Collins, 6 Fuca (c), 7 Priddey, 8 Marriott (Hambley, 23).
UNUSED REPS: Southwood, Stevens.
TRIES: Priddey (2), Rutter.
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