AS the New Year's snow and ice finally relented, it was with a huge sense of relief that the sides took to the field at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday, with Bude entertaining Minehead Barbarians in their first competitive match for five weeks.

In fact, the game had been in some doubt until almost kick off time as morning rain showers had left a patchwork of puddles across the pitch and only some serious forking of the ground by club officials persuaded the referee and visitors to allow the game to go ahead.

Even then the weather did its best to have the last laugh, as a forecast rain storm swept in shortly after the break and by the final whistle the two sides were virtually indistinguishable and the pitch in places resembled a quagmire. Therefore, given the conditions it was a great credit to the players and also the referee that the game proved to be surprisingly entertaining, if a rather error strewn affair for the hardy supporters of both sides.

Playing towards the clubhouse in the first half, Bude made the early running and on 14 minutes they took the lead when from a powerful forward drive deep into the visitors' half, the ball was quickly worked right from the ensuing ruck and outside centre Matt Trewin had the footwork and pace to beat his opposite number on the outside and cross five metres in from touch. His conversion attempt from wide out proved impossible, but the Seasiders were on their way.

However, 12 minutes later, Minehead's fly half Dave Farmer reduced the deficit to two points as he slotted over a regulation penalty kick from in front of the posts as the hosts' pack were caught offside at the breakdown.

On 32 minutes and rather against the run of play, the visitors went in front for the first and only time of the afternoon. Looking suspiciously offside the Barbarians' openside flanker Tom White shot off the side of a ruck deep in his own half, before intercepting a rather telegraphed pass and slipping the ball to his inside centre Jack Claydon who raced in from a full 70 metres, with the home defence in hot pursuit. Farmer's conversion attempt rebounded off the upright, but with the visitors 3 points to the good Bude knew their opponents meant business.

However, Minehead's lead was to last all of four minutes as hooker Dan Miles was credited with the touchdown, following a series of punishing drives by the Seasiders' pack from a good attacking platform in the visitors' 22.

Leading 10-8 at the turn around and with the rain sweeping across the ground, Bude extended their lead on 54 minutes when scrum half Steve Yates spotted that the visitors' rush defence had come up a little too far and his beautifully weighted chip through was gathered by right wing Dan Denton, who raced in from 30 metres.

As the rain and mud increased the talk on the touchline was of a possible abandonment, but the referee Mr Simon and the players in particular had other ideas and making light of the conditions both sides began to throw the ball around with an almost "Barbarian" sense of abandon.

In the 70th minute, as the visitors tried to run the ball out of their own 22, inside centre Paul Williams snaffled a wayward pass and shot in unopposed. Now with brother Adam taking over the kicking duties, the extras again proved elusive, but with only ten minutes remaining and two scores separating the sides Bude were well in control.

Minehead did claim a consolation score on 79 minutes, as full back Mike Hutchinson took advantage of a charged down clearance kick, but it was too little too late and at the final whistle Bude could be satisfied with their afternoon's work in trying conditions.

This Saturday, Bude take a short trip down the A39 where fellow mid-tablers Newquay Hornets will entertain them at the Sports Centre, but before then the Seasiders are due to face Liskeard-Looe under floodlights at Lux Park on Wednesday evening in their twice postponed Skinners Brewery Cornwall Knockout Cup First Round tie. The reward for the victors will be a home tie against Newquay Hornets in the Quarter Final, so Bude could be seeing quite a bit of the Hornets over the next few weeks.

Scorers:

Bude: Matt Trewin, Dan Miles, Dan Denton, Paul Williams (Tries).

Minehead Barbarians: Jack Claydon, Mike Hutchinson (Tries), Dave Farmer (Penalty goal).

Bude: Olly Denford, Dan Denton, Matt Trewin, Paul Williams, Timmy Green, Andy Yates, Steve Yates (capt), Matt Williams, Dan Miles, Barry Sobey, Will Kingdon, Luke Dunkin, Dave Barnes, Dave Uglow and Lee Weston. Replacements: Paul Cholwill, Ollie Mounce, Adam Williams.

Referee: Mr Marc Simon (Exeter – Devon RRS).