By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)

Barnstaple Seconds 31 Bude 22

BUDE were back on the road again last Saturday and for the third successive week they came up just short, this time against Barnstaple Seconds at Pottington Road, falling to a 76th minute converted try from Ryan Jago after the Seasiders had spilled the ball in midfield.

They did have a final chance in the last minute to snatch a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the hosts, as the Barum forwards went offside at the breakdown, but fly-half Brad Thomas’ penalty kick dropped agonisingly short and the visitors were left with the consolation of a try bonus point for their efforts.

In the opening exchanges Barnstaple’s powerful pack dominated proceedings, but Bude’s defence held firm until the 15thminute when scrum-half Ross Swales darted over for the opening score, converted by outside centre Harvey Rostock.

The visitors then responded and on 24 minutes, from an excellent first phase move, number eight Ben Hancock combined with second row Will Hockridge, inside centre Joe Wilson and Thomas to put outside centre Ben Tharme in for a well-deserved try. Thomas was unable to nail the conversion from out wide, but the Seasiders were in touch at 7-5 and that was how the scores remained until the break.

Early in the second period, tighthead prop Finley Body went over from close range and on 51 minutes second row Brendan Darley extended the hosts’ lead with his side’s third try of the afternoon, converted by Rostock.

With the score now 17-5 to the hosts, Bude were now having a bit of a rocky period and after conceding a string of penalties, tighthead prop Chris Allin was the unfortunate recipient of a yellow card for a collapsed maul as the referee finally lost patience.

Despite the one-man disadvantage, Bude’s defence held firm during this time and upon Allin’s return left wing Ollie Rowland went in at the corner following a break by Hockridge.

The conversion attempt from the touchline by Thomas again illusive, but it was now Barum’s turn to feel the heat. From a series of “pick and go” drives, Hancock went over from close range and even though Thomas was unable to nail the extras, the hosts’ lead was now back to two points.

Barum’s loosehead prop, Dominic Robson, created a little daylight between the sides on 65 minutes to claim a try scoring bonus point with Rostock converting for a 24-15 lead.

Bude hooker Rory Mead soon pulled one back for the visitors, this time superbly converted from wide out by Thomas, to make the scoreline 24-22.

Now, rather than shoring up their defence and seeing out the game and banking a pair of bonus points, the Seasiders went for broke, and with four minutes remaining lost the ball in contact and right-wing Jago was put away for the decisive score.

Rostock then added the extras for a 31-22 advantage, before Thomas’ last minute penalty attempt fell just short, and the game was up.

Meanwhile, despite a much-improved performance, Bude Seconds fell 43-15 at home to eighth-placed Roseland in Counties Three Cornwall.

This Saturday, Bude’s firsts entertain fifth-placed Wiveliscombe at Bencoolen Meadow, while Bude Seconds are away to Lankelly-Fowey, with both matches due to start at 2.30pm.

BUDE: Alfie Hurwood, Olly Denford, Ben Tharme, Joe Wilson, Ollie Rowland, Brad Thomas, Charlie Watton; Nick Waterson, Rory Mead, Chris Allin, Fred Saxton, Will Hockridge (capt), Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Hayden Chater, Harvey Cholwill, Matt Tharme.

Tries: B Tharme, Rowland, Hancock, Mead; Convs: Thomas; Pens: N/A.

Bude man of the match: Finley Fry.