By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)

Paignton 42 Bude 26

BUDE’S travels took them to the English Riviera last Saturday where they went down 42-26 in the ten-try points fest against joint league leaders Paignton at Queens Park.

It was another promising performance from the Seasiders, whose side this season contains a healthy blend of youth and experience and for the second away trip in succession they came away with a bonus point.

Will Hockridge, Bude RFC.
Bude skipper Will Hockridge looks to make yards. Picture: Tony Berry (Tony Berry)

Again this was for clocking up four tries, including a second half hat-trick from their influential hooker, Rory Mead, a former Cornwall Under 20s regular.

In fact, apart from the opening period when the Cherries' lightening quick three quarter line showed their paces to rack up a significant lead, the visitors matched them virtually score for score and it was only a late breakaway try from replacement back, David Siddall, converted by fly-half Brad McKee, which burnished the final scoreline for the home side.

Try scorers for Paignton in the opening half were scrum-half Dewald Stoop, full-back Franco Van Rooyen and outside-centre, Josh Gillard, all of which was converted by fly-half McKee, while Bude's solitary points came from a try by second row Fred Saxton, who been denied only a few minutes earlier as he was held up on the line. 

Bude winger Ed Hilliam-Cooke tries to shake off a Paignton tackle at Queens Park. Picture: Tony Berry
Bude winger Ed Hilliam-Cooke tries to shake off a Paignton tackle at Queens Park. Picture: Tony Berry (Tony Berry)

That meant the Devonians had a 21-5 lead at the break.

In the second half, the visitors raised their game, with both sides claiming three converted tries apiece. 

The hosts' first two coming from right wing Jordan Hodge and inside-centre Harry Law, amid Mead's three score flourish, the first two coming from well-organised driven mauls off lineout ball, and the third from a tapped penalty move involving skipper and second row Will Hockridge and number eight Ben Hancock.

Bude number eight Ben Hancock attracts the attention of several home defenders. Picture: Tony Berry
Bude number eight Ben Hancock attracts the attention of several home defenders. Picture: Tony Berry (Tony Berry)

All of Mead’s tries were converted by outside-centre Will Pharo, before Siddall added the gloss to the home side's day, and McKee adding the extras from the tee for a final scoreline of 42-26 in the Cherries' favour.

Not surprisingly Mead's endeavours earned him Bude's man of the match award, with left wing Ollie Rowland showing up well on debut, and fly-half Brad Thomas and outside-centre Pharo both looking sharp, while Law was Paington's standout performer.

In the Counties Three Cornwall league, visitors Falmouth Seconds were unable to raise a side, so Bude Seconds took the five points on offer by default, with their visitors conversely suffering a five-point deduction.

This Saturday, Bude entertain joint league leaders Plymstock Oaks at Bencoolen Meadow (3pm), while the Seasiders’ seconds make the long trip to West Cornwall where they play Redruth Albany.

BUDE: Olly Denford, Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Will Pharo, Joe Wilson, Ollie Rowland, Brad Thomas, Charlie Watton; Nick Waterson, Rory Mead, Chris Allin, Will Hockridge (capt), Fred Saxton, Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Hayden Chater, Fraser Martyn, Harvey Cholwill.

Tries: Saxton, Mead (3); Convs: Pharo (3); Pens: N/A.

Bude man of the match: Rory Mead.