By Andy Davis

WEST HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S PIRAN DIVISION ONE

University of Plymouth Seconds v Bude – away walkover (5-0 win)

BUDE were awarded a 5-0 walkover victory from their trip to Devon due to the home side being unable to arrange suitably qualified umpires.

But to avoid the hour-plus journey being completely wasted and with half an eye on Saturday’s crunch clash with leaders Camborne School of Mines (1pm) who sit five points ahead with a game in-hand, it was soon agreed to play a friendly.

Bude started well but were soon put on the back foot as a quick counter-attack from the hosts saw them attack with numbers across the whole of the pitch and the muscled their way through to open the scoring.

A frantic end-to-end game then ensued which suited the young legs of Plymouth who absorbed the Bude pressure well and then hit back with more vicious counter attacks of their own.

With the tactical upper hand Plymouth looked more likely to score, but Bude dragged themselves level as Matthew Horton scored with a trademark low hard shot.

But the celebrations did not last long as Plymouth picked up where they left off and got themselves back in front.

Following a scrappy goalmouth melee, the ball hit a Bude foot on the line and they were given a penalty flick which they converted.

With the score 2-1 at half-time Bude made some tactical changes and they came out stronger, but were still not firing on all cylinders.

They were then hit with a sucker punch as Plymouth went rapidly from their own D to Bude’s D with ease and converted a simple passing move.

The visitors got the final goal of game with Horton converting from a short corner, but in the end it was all pretty irrelevant.