An outstanding result to inflict Esher's first defeat of the season takes Redruth into the fourth round of the EDF National trophy but at the cost of a serious injury to Nathan Pedley.
Two late tries by Pedley's replacement, teenager Paul Teixeira, whose reputation increases with every game turned a tight game in the Reds' favour.
The sparkling performance has earned a home tie with Lydney.
Head coach Nigel Hambly was full of sympathy for the unfortunate Pedley who has been in great form with his determined running and fearless tackling in recent weeks: "He always gives his heart and sole and to lose him like that was a huge blow." Pedley let out a sickening scream as a second minute tackle on a soft surface in the Esher 22 left him with a broken ankle and suspected knee ligament damage.
The game was held up for 10 minutes while Pedley was taken from the pitch on a stretcher. He spent the afternoon in Kingston hospital with Reds assistant manager Dave Ricketts, returning to the ground in plaster just in time for the long journey back to the Recreation Ground. Damage to the knee will be assessed later this week when brusing around the knee has gone down.
Hambly was pleased with the Reds ninth successive win: "We'll take our glory today which I thought was well deserved. We played with a good bit of ambition, good field sense and quite a bit of determination. This was a real testament to the character of the side and their desire to get better and to do well.
"It shows what character we have got in the side, especially away from home, when you get a bad injury like that, it was obvious it was a broken ankle when he went down. The players are pretty upset about it. Peds is a big part of our side."
This was a closely fought game throughout, but Redruth got stronger in the final quarter when Esher have overcome most teams this season. It was not until Teixeria's second try in injury time that there was more than seven points between the sides. Hook's line kicking gave Redruth good territory along with good line out play.
Hambly added: "I thought the whole side was good today, the bench was effective, it makes a big difference having the chance to bring seven players on. I thought that was where we pulled away, all the players that came on did a good job."
Esher fielded about half their regular line up while Hambly made four changes to the Reds starting team: "A lot of people will look at the result and think Esher rested a few players, but we did as well, so, I do not think there is too much in that. When I chatted to Mike Schmid (Esher's coach) afterwards, he admitted to me after that they were well and truly beaten today and they are looking forward to next week."
Mark Bright gave the Reds the lead with a try from a rolling maul in the seventh minute that Mike Hook converted. Bright's opposite number, Lee Starling, pulled back an unconverted try in the 22nd minute.
Former Saracens and Leinster fly half, Matthew Leek always looked to have plenty of time to make decisions for the home side and the pace of right wing Richard Briggs was a constant threat to the Reds as they took a two-point lead into the interval.
A strong run by the giant Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Amapakabo (Ex Pau and Brive) in the second minute of the second half led to a try for Briggs which Leek converted to put the Surrey side ahead for the first time.
A series of blindside attacks initiated by Mike Marsh and Leek kept the Reds at full stretch in the third quarter and Marek Churcher made an important stop in the left hand corner to keep Redruth in the game.
Hook kicked a 40 metre penalty to narrow the gap to two points but he was off target with a penalty attempt from the half way line in the 57th minute.
The return of Richard Carroll on the hour mark was a significant moment for the Reds, following an eight-week suspension. The big blond forward, playing on the blind side, tightened Redruth's forward play as they got stronger in the final quarter.
The vital blow came in the 74th minute when Redruth, winning successive rucks in the Esher 22, were almost over in the right hand corner. With referee Alan Biggs playing good advantage long passes by Hook, Gibbons and Bright gave Teixeira just enough space to dive over in the left hand corner for an unconverted try that put the Reds three points ahead.
From the restart, Esher had a chance to draw level with a penalty wide out on the left, Redruth fans blew a big sigh of relief as Leek's kick was short and Simon Peters hoofed the ball down field to clear the danger.
Hambly played his ace card bringing on PJ Gidlow with 78 minutes on the clock and in injury time the powerhouse centre drew the defence like a magnet and swift passes by Hook and Craig Bonds set up Teixeira to race over in the right hand corner, Hook converting with a tremendous kick from the touchline.
Redruth return to the Surrey stockbroker belt for a league game on Saturday and Hambly added: "We're happy at winning today, but well aware of where we have got to be next week. They are going to want to put the record straight."
n RUGBY Sages Society members are reminded that the December meeting will be at the Redruth Recreation Ground, kick off 2 for 2.30 pm.
Well-known and respected national rugby writer Brendan Gallagher is expected to be present.
Harvey Richards will lead the singing.
Penryn u19s 5pts Camborne u19s 14pts In conditions not doing either side any favours, the Camborne pack came out on top after a tight performance with Tristan Laity and the young James Rapson doing well.
Camborne, playing against the wind and slope in the first half, conceded a try in the first five minutes but held Penryn well until half-time.
The "Cherry and Whites" dominated the second half with excellent tries by James Rapson and Cameron Bone.
With good kicking to touch by Bone and superb conversions by Shane Wood it completed a well deserved victory after a great team effort by the visitors.
Camborne - tries: James Rapson (2), Cameron Bone (2); cons: Shane Woods (3).
camborne u12s 26pts Helston u12s 7pts Camborne pulled off an excellent win against Helston following a disciplined performance and a great team effort by the home side.
Camborne - tries: Luke Ellis, Ryan Downing, Toby Witford, Gareth Mankee; cons: Ryan Downing, 3.
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