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Redruth hooker Matt Gidlow has left the Cornish club after four years at the Recreation Ground.

The 26-year-old is moving back to the north of England to be closer to his family according to the club's director of rugby Dave Penberthy.

"He's a big loss, both as a person and as a player," Penberthy said.

"He's got family up in the north of England and he feels it's time that maybe he moved elsewhere in the UK and enjoyed that family life again."

Gidlow has yet to sign for a team, and his loss means Penberthy will be looking for another hooker as he rebuilds his side following their relegation to National Two South.

"Hooker is a position that we don't have a massive amount of strength in depth, and to lose a player of his quality is disappointing.

"We've got Richard Brown who played in all of Cornwall's County Championship games last year and Jamie Tresidder has joined us from St Ives."

And with props Danny Clackworthy and Malcolm Hearne re-joining Redruth, Penberthy could ask them to step up.

"Both of them are predominantly props, but have played hooker in the past so it's a case of sitting down with them and asking them to practise their throwing and look at the hooker game in general."