Clifford's hat-trick keeps superb Reds top of National League Two West

NOAH Clifford notched a hat-trick as Redruth made it five wins on the spin to start the season as they saw off fellow high-flyers Taunton Titans at the Rec on Saturday.

Redruth brought in Rohan Ewels, Finn Wolstencroft, Jacob Chapple and Luke Johnson to their starting line-up from their Exeter University victory, but it was winger Clifford that got the first try after 16 minutes following a pass from fly-half Joe Cummins who added the extras.

Within six minutes the Titans were ahead as Ollie Aboud crossed, followed shortly after by Troy Jackson. Tom Putt converted both.

However, that seemed to liven the Reds up once more and although Cummins twice missed off the tee, Clifford’s hat-trick had the Cornishmen in front just after the half-hour mark.

The scoreline remained the same until six minutes after the restart as the hosts were awarded a penalty try, but Taunton gradually worked their way back into the contest, starting with Putt’s penalty on 48 minutes.

The fly-half converted his own try two minutes later to level the game at 24-all, but he blotted his copybook on 67 minutes after being sent to the sin-bin.

Moments later, man-of-the-match Tom Cowan-Dickie put the Reds ahead 29-24, and although Cummins missed a penalty, his 74th minute try which he converted himself ensured daylight.

Scott Gibson set up a grandstand finish to give the Titans two bonus points, but Redruth, who host Hornets on Saturday (3pm), held on.

REDRUTH: Luke Johnson; Noah Clifford, Jack Simmons (capt), Connor Gilbert, Jack Counter; Joe Cummins, Jacob Chapple; Rohan Ewels, Tom Cowan-Dickie, Tyler Gendall; Luke Hattam, Todd Prisk; Mawgan Osborne, Will Symons, Finn Wolstencroft. Replacements: Jarrod Hambly, Max Surry, Kaiden Carne, Rob Baragwanath, Adam Hall.

Tries: Clifford (3), penalty try, Cowan-Dickie, Cummins; Convs: Cummins (2); Pens: N/A.

Reds’ man-of-the-match: Tom Cowan-Dickie.