By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Kingsbridge 24 Bude 15

TWO tries conceded in the dying embers of the game undid all their previous good work as Bude went down 24-15 against mid-table Kingsbridge at High House last Saturday.

Having won the reverse fixture at Bencoolen Meadow 27-22 back in mid-September, Bude travelled with confidence and after putting in an excellent showing for most of the game, they could and should have achieved a better reward for their efforts, but it was not to be.

The first quarter was scoreless as the sides probed for each other’s weaknesses and then on 22 minutes, following a penalty award that was kicked to touch, from the ensuing lineout hooker Ben Grose broke through and offloaded to his scrum-half Will Hollis to cross for the opening try.

The conversion attempt by fly-half Ben Newman was off target and shortly afterwards the visitors were level.

From a set scrum, number eight Ben Hancock picked up and fed inside-centre Joe Wilson who powered through to score.

Outside-centre Will Pharo’s attempt to add the extras also failed and with the scoreline 5-5 apiece, that was the way things remained until the last play of the half.

From that the hosts’ second row Ben Banner scored from close range under the posts with Newman converting for 12-5.

Following the turnaround, the Seasiders came roaring out of the blocks and on 42 minutes, from a lineout deep in the home side’s 22, a classic ‘catch and drive’ move saw hooker Rory Mead touch down to bring his side back within twopoints.

With both side’s kickers having an off day from the tee, again Pharo was unable to convert, although it has to be said that Bude’s fly-half Brad Thomas’ kicking from hand was excellent all game.

Then, with the game approaching the hour mark, following some powerful driving play from the Seasiders’ pack, second row Fred Saxton burst over for his side’s third try of the afternoon which gave the visitors the lead for the first time at 15-12.

A curious decision from the Referee saw Thomas consigned to the bin for 10 minutes for illegally playing the ball on the ground in open play as he slipped taking a high ball.

This undoubtedly disrupted the visitors’ play and then in the final 10 minutes both teams had players shown yellow cards, including Hancock for Bude. The extra space created an opening wide out on the right and after Newman has broken through, left wing Tom Winzer was put in at the corner.

Kings were back in front with barely a minute to play.

Perhaps somewhat naively, Bude went for broke as they sought to regain the lead, but in doing so a misplaced pass was snaffled by loosehead-prop Henry Rich and he galloped away to touch down under the posts, with full-back Sam Jones slotting the extra points to leave the visitors empty-handed.

Bude Seconds were handed a home walkover by Truro Seconds and take five points.

This Saturday in the final game before the Christmas and New Year break, the firsts entertain league leaders Paignton at Bencoolen Meadow, while the Seconds travel to take on Penryn Seconds in a re-arranged league match. Both games are scheduled for a 2.30pm kick-off.

BUDE: Alfie Hurwood, Olly Denford, Will Pharo, 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: Fraser Martyn, Hayden Chater, Gareth Hutchings.

Tries: Wilson, Mead, Saxton; Convs: N/A; Pens: N/A.