Redruth 12 Stourbridge 24
Stourbridge have won only twice in 16 months at home, but now their vastly different away form seems almost certain to have saved them from relegation.
This thoroughly convincing victory, by four tries to four penalties, was the sixth on their travels this season. With three games to go, they have a 15-point cushion ahead of bottom-placed Orrell, with a much better scoring difference.
Despite several enforced late changes, Stourbridge dictated the game through their half-back pairing of Tongan international Soane Havea and Worcester Academy fly-half Sam Robinson behind the impressive back row of Tom Jordan, Stean Williams and Scott Whitcombe.
It was Robinson's long miss-pass in the tenth minute and quick transfer which put left winger Martin Freeman, another Worcester Academy man, free for the opening try in the corner.
Stourbridge captain Virgil Hartland was then yellow-carded for killing the ball at a ruck, but his temporary replacement at prop, Adam Sturdy, scored the visitors' second try in support of some magic by full-back Jon Hall.
Hall fielded a long Redruth kick downfield, sped upfield through the defence almost to the posts and fed Sturdy to go between them. Alistair Bressington's conversion made it 12-0 and it remained that way until the interval.
Redruth had first use of the slope down to Hellfire Corner, but against a strong wind and with the breeze in their favour, they came more into the contest without being able to break through stern Stourbridge defence.
Gavin Donald did kick four penalty goals to equalise by 75 minutes, only for more slick handling to send Freeman powering through four challenges from 30 yards out for his second try.
Deep into stoppage time, prop James Tideswell produced a final cameo from mid-field, storming through tackles and accelerating behind the posts for a try which Bressington converted.
