By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)

Penryn 23 Bude 15

BUDE, who were missing key backs Joe Wilson and Will Pharo, made the long trip down the A39 to Penryn’s Recreation Ground last Saturday and despite having led for much of the game, they came away empty handed, without as much as a bonus point for their efforts.

In fact, in the final play of the game, trailing by one point, they went for broke in a daring attack, but a slightly wayward pass allowed Borough’s outside centre Matt Hall to intercept the ball and then race away to touch down under posts for the simplest of conversions by his midfield partner, skipper, James Salisbury.

It was cruel luck but having conceded a host of penalties earlier in the game in somewhat questionable circumstances, perhaps it was just not to be the Seasiders’ day.

A ‘catch and drive’ try after 10 minutes from veteran scrum-half Olly Mounce, making a welcome return to Bude colours after being out of the game for the past 18 months as he built his family home, gave the visitors an early lead from an attacking lineout deep in Penryn’s 22, but fly-half Brad Thomas was unable to add the extras.

However, the hosts responded midway through the half as Salisbury carved a hole through the Seasiders defence and touched down near to the uprights and added the conversion for good measure to make the score 7-5 to the home side.

Another trademark ‘catch and drive’ move from the visitors, again from the lineout deep in Penryn territory, allowed hooker Rory Mead to touch down for Bude’s second try which put them back in front at 10-7.

Unfortunately, given the acute angle of the kick, wide out on the left again prevented Thomas from converting, but at the break the Seasiders were good value for the lead.

From the kick off in the second period, number eight Ben Hancock was rather harshly penalised when securing the ball in contact and Salisbury gratefully accepted the points on offer to bring his side level before Mead claimed his second try of the afternoon and Bude’s third, again from a ‘catch and drive’ move from another attacking lineout.

Now entrusted with the kicking duties, young full-back Alfie Hurwood was also unable to add the extras with his conversion attempt from the touchline, but the Seasiders were back in front at 15-10.

With the hour mark fast approaching, Bude coughed up a string of penalties and Salisbury took advantage with two successful kicks to nudge his side ahead by one point.

That was the way the scoreline stayed until the final minute when Hall made the game safe for the home side with his interception try and Bude were left to rue what might have been.

Despite the result, this was a good all-round performance from the visitors with second row Fred Saxton outstanding, and they will be looking to build on this showing when they entertain third-placed Pirates Amateurs in the league this coming Saturday at Bencoolen Meadow (2.30pm).

Meanwhile Bude Seconds, who were beaten 83-7 at Camborne School of Mines on Saturday, are also at home to Camborne Seconds in Counties Three Cornwall.

That will be played on the Stade de Marsh and gets underway at 3pm.

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

Tries: Mounce, Mead (2); Convs: N/A; Pens: N/A.

Bude man of the match: Fred Saxton.