By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)

Tavistock 30 Bude 34

AFTER having trailed for virtually the whole game, Bude dramatically snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Tavistock at Sandy Park last Saturday, with a try in the corner by right wing Olly Denford that sealed a much-needed win on the road.

Having lost heavily at home the previous week against Redruth’s second-string, and after their pre-match preparation was disrupted by an injury to scrum-half Charlie Watton which saw him withdraw from the squad, with right wing Alfie Hurwood slotting in at half back and Denford coming in to the line from the bench, the Seasiders needed an early response to boost their confidence.

Unfortunately for them, they made the worst possible start as Tavy scored straight from the kick off through right wing Liam Watts after his side had strung together almost a dozen phases of possession. Fly-half Stephen O’Connor converted, and the home side were seven points ahead.

However, despite this early set-back, the visitors did respond quickly and on five minutes, second row Fred Saxton crossed from close range, with full-back Will Pharo adding the extras to draw the sides level.

Tavistock then had a purple patch with full-back Charles Bowden scoring a try in the left corner, before O’Connor added a penalty goal and then Liam Watts touched down his second five pointer of the afternoon in the opposite corner to make the score 20-7 in the hosts’ favour.

With the half-hour mark fast approaching, inside-centre Joe Wilson burst through the home side’s defensive cover for Bude’s second try, before Pharo converted to bring his side within six points.

However, blindside flanker Calum Baker, then scored a fine individual try under the posts which sealed a bonus point for the home side and O’Connor converted to stretch Tavy’s lead back up to 13 points.

With eight minutes of the half remaining, hooker Rory Mead touched down for the visitors’ third try, before O’Connor missed a penalty attempt and then number eight Ben Hancock powered over for Bude’s fourth try to claim a bonus point for his team.

Then, with the last play of the half, O’Connor made amends for his earlier miss as he slotted a successful penalty kick and at the break Tavistock led 30-24.

It was now anyone’s game, but somewhat surprisingly after the pyrotechnics of the opening period, the third quarter was scoreless, and the game was in danger of petering out.

However, with the match now moving into the closing stages, it sprung into life once more.

Mead was denied under the posts by some determined last ditch defending by the hosts, However, on 70 minutes, left wing Ollie Rowland crossed for an excellent try in the corner, which Pharo was unable to convert.

Tavy remained in front by a point, before the Seasiders took the lead for the first and last time in the game with six minutes remaining on the clock. After Hancock had gone close, the visitors would not be denied and Denford was on hand to claim the spoils.

This Saturday, Bude are due to visit Regional Two South West side Wadebridge Camels in the first round of the Cornwall Knockout Cup competition (2pm), while Bude Seconds are also in cup action, this time away to Saltash Seconds in the first round of the Duchy Cup (2pm).

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

Tries: Saxton, Wilson, Mead, Hancock, Rowland, Denford; Convs: Pharo; Pens: N/A.