SOUTHEND 48pts

Tries: Soolefai 2, Frost, Vaughn, Pay, Connors, Hoult

Conversions: Frost (5)

Penalty: Frost

Yellow card: Soolefai 73m

Southend: C. Green; C. Vaughn (rep S. Hoult h-t), E. Harvey, F. Soolefai, A. Frost; B. McKeith, R. Powell (rep A. Holloway 73m); M. Williams, N. Pay (rep G. Smith 79m), M. Guess, A. McLintock , J. Fisk, D. Johnson (rep J. Hyde m), R. Gill, J. Connors.

REDRUTH 27pts

Tries: P. Thirlby 2, R. Thirlby, Vinnicombe Conversions: Griffiths 2

Penalty: Griffiths

Redruth: C. Bonds (capt); L. Vinnicombe, P. Thirlby, PJ Gidlow, R. Thirlby; G. Griffiths, M. Ricards (rep D. Pascoe 64m); P. Joyce (rep A. Morcom 79m) G. Cooper, A. Morcom (rep D. Jacques 38m), L. Collins (rep D. Dawiduik 53m), D. Cook, J. Mann, S. Wood (rep N. Pascoe h-t), F. Seve.

Referee: Mr D. Gamage (RFU).

REDRUTH'S proud nine-month unbeaten run was smashed by a Southend side that were superior in all aspects and Redruth were fortunate only to concede seven tries on a hot sunny day in Essex.

"Rubbish, diabolical, unacceptable," was the angry after-match reaction of Redruth head coach Nigel Hambly to his side's disappointing display.

"The biggest thing for me today was that the boys did not show too much pride in the shirt, what I want is people who want to play for Redruth because they are proud to play for Redruth and want to make Redruth a better team and today we did not show much of that.

"We did not front up, we missed too many tackles, we tried to score from first phase every time. We only put together three phases twice and scored both times. From some of our senior players there was no shape or pattern.

"It was a terrible performance. We did everything we said we were not going to do, We wanted to win the territory battle but in the first half instead of using the wind we kept trying to play from our 40 metre area."

This game was a reality check for the Reds who have not tasted defeat in league or cup matches since December 23 when Launceston won at the Recreation Ground. Hambly added: "We've enjoyed a good spell, but I think we have read our own press and believed it, life has a habit of biting you on the bottom and today we got bitten."

Southend took the game to the Reds from the kick off and scored a ninth minute try when Paul Thirlby raced 65 metres to touch down a try converted by Gareth Griffiths.

The Southend forwards, spearheaded by their captain Keith McLintock, were too streetwise for the Reds on the day and pushed their luck on the offside line around the rucks and mauls. Winger Andy Frost ran strongly to touch down an unconverted try in the 16th minute.

When Redruth's passing moves broke down they persisted in kicking the ball down field to give giant full back Chris Green space to launch counterattacks as Southend dominated the second quarter with Griffiths and Frost exchanging penalties.

Redruth looked to be taking a two-point lead into the interval but Southend landed a big blow when Chris Vaughn touched down a try in the final move of the first half, Frost converting from the touchline for the Essex boys to go in 15-10 ahead.

In the third minute of the second half Redruth committed the cardinal sin of stopping and waiting for the referees' whistle following a knock on. Southend's powerful centre Faapoloo Soolefai, after an embarrassed look behind, cantered unopposed to the posts for Frost to convert.

Some inventive back play by the home side cut the Reds defence to ribbons as hooker Nick Pay and Soolefai added further tries, one converted by Frost to open up a 24 point lead after 53 minutes.

The final quarter was a Barbarian style affair with Redruth taking tries by Paul Thirlby, Rob Thirlby and Lewis Vinnicombe to gain a bonus point. The home side grabbed chances for Jamie Connors from a catch and drive and replacement Simon Hoult to touch down tries to make the game safe.

England counties props Peter Joyce and Darren Jacques along with second half replacement Nathan Pascoe gave wholehearted performances and may escape some of Hambly's wrath.

In the closing stages Southend conceded six penalties in desperate attempts to stop the Reds narrowing the gap further, but Redruth's proud nine- month unbeaten run was shattered.