DESPITE Storm Darragh ruining the match as a spectacle, Redruth produced a superb 10-10 draw at second-placed Taunton Titans on Saturday, a result which also helped Cornish rivals Camborne.

Dan Rutter’s late penalty earned the Reds a share of the spoils to ensure Camborne sit four points clear at the top of the National League Two West table with a game in-hand after their home clash with Clifton was called off due to the weather.

The Reds, who have risen up to mid-table in recent weeks, played against the conditions in the first half as the 60mph plus winds made attacking rugby, and in particular kicking, nigh on impossible.

But after dominating the opening 15 minutes they took the lead when centre Sam James powered over from close range. Fly-half Dean Wills slotted the conversion.

Taunton then piled on the pressure for much of the rest of the half and finally scored through left winger Oscar Kolowski. The conversion unsurprisingly got nowhere near.

The Reds had a couple of kickable penalties in the first ten minutes, the first dropping just short while Darragh blew the second off course.

Again conditions continued to be a challenge, and the hosts looked to have won it seven minutes from the end as a fine move – almost unheard of in the trying conditions – ended with Will Vaughan crossing. The conversion was missed.

Redruth responded superbly and after the hosts were penalised at a scrum inside their 22, replacement Dan Rutter kept his cool.

Taunton still had time to go for the winner, but after passing up the opportunity of a perfectly kickable penalty, were penalised allowing the Reds to boot the ball off the field and earn a much-deserved two points.

Redruth who are within ten points of second all of a sudden, welcome Loughborough Students on Saturday.

The Leicestershire visitors arrive just two points ahead of the Reds in a game both sides will fancy their chances of winning.

Camborne will look to get their promotion charge restarted when they cross the Tamar to tackle promoted Devonport Services (2.30pm).

The Plymouth-based club have struggled since promotion – not helped by a crippling injury list – but have won a couple of times in recent weeks, including a home victory over Loughborough Students last time out at the Rectory.

They were beaten 33-24 at Hornets on Saturday in Weston-super-Mare.

REDRUTH: Ben Roseveor, Matt Blewett, Jack Simmons, Sam James, Bobby Wigginton, Dean Wills, Will Rigelsford; Tyler Gendall, Matt Pritchard, Jess Tompsett, Jamie Prisk, Edward Pascoe, Connor Triggs, Jack King, Chris Rovery. Replacements: Luke Barnes, Jarrod Hambly, Charlie Way, Dan Rutter, Barnaby Elderkin.

Tries: James; Convs: Wills; Pens: Rutter.

The Cornish Pirates, who won 22-3 at Caldy on Saturday to make it back-to-back victories, welcome unbeaten Coventry to the Mennaye Field on Saturday (2.30pm).

The West Midlanders will arrive in the Duchy top of the table and have applied for promotion, meaning the Pirates will face an acid test as their new-look side look to climb the table after a slow start to the season.

Coventry have racked up seven wins from as many games, dropping just two points in the process and have a two-point lead over last year’s champions Ealing Trailfinders.

The Pirates have risen to sixth following victories over promoted Chinnor and Caldy, but are just seven points above second bottom Cambridge.