REDRUTH'S head coach Nigel Hambly got the result he wanted against Penryn, but what he didn't get was the game he so badly wanted. The Skinner's Brewery Cornwall Cup game was called off on Friday after it was revealed Penryn were unable to field a front row.

The Borough could have expected one of their biggest gates of the season against the National League Two club at the Memorial Ground and suggested the game be rearranged, but under the cup rules the Cornwall RFU wanted the game played on the day.

Mr Preece, the competitions' secretary, informed both clubs that the game would not be rearranged and although Penryn will appeal, it is virtually certain that the tie will be awarded to Redruth.

Nigel Hambly felt some sympathy for Penryn, but said he was disappointed with their decision not to play the game: "Apparently they have got front row difficulties," said Hambly. "I can sympathise with that because we have been in that situation ourselves, but we have always managed to field a side - even if we have had to bring in colts.

"We have played with whatever players we have had available and have sent out sides to places where we have had a real beating, but we have taken our medicine.

"In our promotion season we played Exeter on the Sunday and shipped 70 points and on the following day, Monday, played Truro because I felt it would be a good build-up in our charge for promotion."

Full story in this week's issue.