COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Plymstock Albion Oaks 41 Bude 28

THE Seasiders were left rueing a case of what might have been after a disappointing victory at high-flying Plymstock Albion Oaks on Saturday.

Bude travelled to the outskirts of Plymouth just five points clear of second bottom Tavistock and were just 19-14 down at the break.

But three tries in the first 13 minutes put pay to victory, although they did get a deserved bonus point.

Bude made three alterations from the side beaten 26-7 by leaders Paignton on December 21. Prop Nick Waterson failed to recover from a knock and was replaced by youngster Hayden Chater, who put in a fine performance, while flanker Matt Maniglia dropped down to the bench with number eight Ben Hancock coming back in. Fred Saxton returned to the second row with Harvey Cholwill taking Maniglia’s seven shirt.

There was also a change on the morning of the game as winger Jack Horwell was drafted in to replace the ill Ollie Rowland.

Bude played down the slope in the first half at Horsham Fields and after suffering an early scare when winger Charlie Kirkwood knocked on close to the line, Horwell went close before his foot went into touch.

However, on 12 minutes a remarkable try put the Oaks in front. Bude had a line-out five metres from the home line, but after being penalised, Plymstock counter-attacked from their own 22 which ended with inside-centre Louie Riley releasing Kirkwood to go the rest of the way. Riley added the extras.

Plymstock scored again five minutes later. The Cornishmen lost a line-out just inside the home half which allowed flanker Ben Ross to make it all the way deep into the visiting 22 before being hauled down. Jake Parkes was on hand to finish the move although Riley missed the kick.

Bude were more than holding their own but simple mistakes were costing them. However, they replied on 26 minutes as influential number eight Ben Hancock took a quick penalty on the home 22 before releasing flanker Finley Fry for a simple run-in. Brad Thomas drop-kicked the conversion for 12-7.

Plymstock went back in front five minutes before half-time when hooker Joe Donnelly dotted down from a driving maul which was added to by player/coach Lewis Paterson, but Bude kept themselves in touch when a flowing move ended with Horwell crossing in the left corner. Thomas added a brilliant kick (19-14).

The Seasiders, who brought on Matt Maniglia and the re-signed Ryan Butler for Cholwill and Horwell at the break, needed a steady start to the second half but it was game done in no time.

Prop Harvey Courtis got the first two minutes in after incessant pressure, before disaster struck on 45 minutes as Paterson intercepted Hancock’s pass from a scrum on his own 22 and went in at the corner.

Butler was sin-binned on 53 minutes near his own line, and just as he had reached the bench, Courtis quickly took a penalty to score again. Paterson missed the kick but it was 36-14.

Bude twice mucked up when well-placed on the hour, but did score seconds later via Hancock’s close range score.

Hooker Rory Mead finished off a driving maul for the Cornishmen’s bonus point try eight minutes from time (36-28) to raise hopes of a second bonus point at the very least, but Plymstock rounded off the scoring with another close-range try.

BUDE: Alfie Hurwood; Olly Denford, Ben Tharme, Joe Wilson, Jack Horwell; Brad Thomas, Charlie Watton; Hayden Chater, Rory Mead, Chris Allin; Will Hockridge (capt), Freddie Saxton; Finley Fry, Harvey Cholwill, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Fraser Martyn, Matt Maniglia, Ryan Butler.

Tries: Fry, Horwell, Hancock, Mead; Convs: Thomas (4); Pens: N/A.

Bude man of the match: Hayden Chater.