Newquay airport at 7am on a cold winter's morning is not the place to start a Sunday. Add a motly crew of players, the eight visible survivors of the day before, like shipwrecked sailors, rescued, in only the barest minimum of clothes, from a night on the town. But a breathtaking win against the odds made the two early mornings more than worthwhile. 19/18, the narrowest of margins held for the final ten minutes against a barrage of Redruth penalties. Three given and in the match four missed by them, alongside a failed conversion. Add kicking success the equal of Cambridge on the day and Redruth could, not should, have won by a comfortable margin of 13 points.

The difference in the teams was all about desire and commitment. More on that later. Redruth won the toss and chose to attack down the slope to "hellfire" corner, aided by a deceptively firm breeze. It was very cold. In spite of difficulties in the set pieces Cambridge denied Redruth an early score with Captain Darren Fox leading, by example, our best defensive display this season. The midfield was playing without James Shanahan, injured and once again endeavouring to orchestrate affairs from the touchline. Any points on the board would have been just reward for the lion's share of possession enjoyed by the home side. Unbeaten in 11 games, there was every reason to believe a 12th was on its way. Not easy mind. For whatever reason or reasons there was an atmosphere around the ground, before the match began, of apprehension and anticipation that their visitors were quite capable of causing an upset. A tough match in prospect indeed but one from which Redruth would notch up yet 5 more points keeping them with a clear lead at the top of the league table. But it took to the closing minutes of the first quarter for a score to come and the 750 + supporters to relax a little in their seats. Blind side flanker, James Mann, picked up a spilt ball in the left hand corner and dived over. Relief from his colleagues and a return to business as usual. The third best attacking force in the league was pitched against the second best defensive line up. This was trench warfare, territory grudgingly conceded. 1918 indeed, all over again.

Redruth should have felt comfortable with their half time lead of 15 points. Hooker Owen Hambley, who impresses every time I see him play, found a gap in the close defence of a ruck and darted over for 5 more points. 3 extra were added by Rob Thirlby with a well struck penalty as the first half closed. It was difficult to judge conditions but a 15 point gap looked like a final score well in excess of 30 points for the Cornishmen, their dogged opponents having offered little on the front foot, to prove that this was to be a close run event. A tense half referreed with a firm word and whistle by Keith Lewis. He was true, so far, to his intention, no pre-Christmas yellow cards.

Half time Redruth 15 Cambridge 0 (midday back at home and time for a break from writing to catch up on lost sleep)

A rare replacement timing at the interval as David Archer replaced Tom Powell at Number 8. An astute reading of the game from our coaches as in the 49th minute pressure brought action down to the infamous right hand corner, the ideal opportunity for our other Archer to demonstrate his craft. Drive and deposit, needing only space enough on the line for the ball. Like a Mexican wave the shudder around the ground hinted of more pressure to come. As Ben Patston made ease of a very difficult long range kick, another signal of superiority was sent.

The next ten minutes was as tough as it gets. Little give and no take by either side. "Patso" easily won the penalty kicking duel, 3 penalties to Rob Thirlby's 1 and the gap narrowed to just two points. Our replacement forwards arrived as reinforcements and the final quarter began. Os and Hoady tightened the set pieces enough to keep Redruth on the defensive. Then one of those unforgettable moments in rugby. Having attempted a drop goal earlier, Craig Evans retrieved a kick, ten metres inside the Cambridge half, to return it once again off the ground in the direction of the posts. No doubt about the accuracy of his direction but did it have the distance? As it lost height its descent seemed near vertical and under remote control, just descending the far side of the crossbar. Such scores are rare anyway but of this majesty seen perhaps only once or twice in a lifetime.

19/18 and those missed penalties, like the Leeds United close second half efforts today at Histon, to prove that this was indeed the certainty of a win against the odds.

Full time Redruth 18 points and 2 tries Cambridge 19 points and 1 try. A game won by a top drawer display of kicking from Ben and Craig supported by a solid defence from all 20 players. In the end, with nothing to lose, Redruth attacked from deep and nearly scored two more tries. That they were trapped and caught said much about defence in depth. I watched the last 15 minutes alongside Laurence White, our cameraman for the day, from the roof of the Redruth stand. A unique pleasure with the pitch below me, enjoyed before and hopefully (a challenging ladder to climb) to be repeated in future many many times.

I feel that I have saved the best until last. Redruth are the quintessential community club. From the sponsors "bar" to the main clubhouse there is generosity of spirit and a real attempt to welcome and look after strangers. First I scrounged a plate of chips, then later retreating from the icy cold, a pasty and pint of Guinness. Appetising and in perfect harmony with the occasion. After the match a chat with many including two very hard of hearing and more opposition players than I have talked to in total in the eleven previous games. I suspect that the vitality here has been lost forever in many National 1 clubs as the pro game takes a hold. Pirates down the road in Camborne must have to work very hard to replicate what seems to come naturally from their neighbours.

One last tale to tell. With the team gone to Newquay we continued chatting to be interrupted by a young boy, perhaps ten years old. In his hands a training ball carrying the Cambridge crest. " My friend found this and I said we should return it to you". James Hitchens, if that is indeed your name, you made our day. Suitably rewarded but surprised by the generosity from El Presidente, he disappeared at waist height within the crowded bar as quickly as he had emerged. Less than one minute of pure integrity. A great mascot for you, Redruth. Let's hope he turns out to be a talented player as well.

Photos here