By Paul Cottle

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)

Bude 27 Kingsbridge 22

FOLLOWING their narrow two-point loss at St Ives the previous week, Bude continued their encouraging start to the league season with a 27-22 victory over visitors Kingsbridge at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday.

Last season Kingsbridge did the double over Bude, but within nine minutes the Seasiders led by 14-0 and never looked back.

First, on four minutes, from a lineout 40 metres out, the ball was quickly worked along the line and after a characteristic burst of speed wide out on the left by number eight Ben Hancock, he fed back inside to second row Will Hockridge, who galloped over for the opening score. Outside-centre Will Pharo converted.

Then, five minutes later, after Kings were penalised for not releasing in the tackle, and a kick at goal from Pharo had fallen short, the clearance kick from the visitors failed to find touch and, within a flash, Hockridge over for his second try of the afternoon. Pharo made it two from two from the tee for 14-0.

However, with the end of the first quarter rapidly approaching, the visitors’ three quarters made a good break up the left flank, and despite being stopped on the line, left wing Gareth Coombes showed admirable strength and awareness before managing to touch down as he twisted in the tackle. Fly-half Ben Newman’s effort slid past the left upright.

That score did little to disturb the Seasiders’ rhythm and on 22 minutes, after they had opted to run a penalty award near to the visitors’ 22 metre line, Hancock’s speed off the mark was too much for the Kings’ defence and he sped over, touching down under the uprights. Pharo slotted the simplest of conversions for 21-5.

Heading into the second half and the next score was going to be vital, but in the event, it was Bude who scored next via a Pharo penalty after a Kings’ defender was caught offside at the breakdown.

But with Bude’s scrum coming under increasing pressure and their lineout less than secure, gradually Kingsbridge began to claw away at the Seasiders’ lead.

First, scrum-half Joe Banfield scooted over, followed shortly afterwards by number eight Stuart Harris, with Newman adding the extras to Harris’ close range try (24-17).

If Bude were rattled, they disguised it well and with the game now in the closing stages, the home side were awarded a penalty some 40 metres out, in front of the posts. For a brief moment it looked as if they were going to run the ball, but clear thinking instead saw skipper Hockridge opt for a kick at goal, which Pharo duly despatched.

Still Kingsbridge were not finished and with barely two minutes remaining, second row Dan Jarvis crossed for his side’s fourth try of the afternoon, securing a bonus point in the process.

Newman’s conversion attempt again failed to find its target and despite the best efforts of the visitors, Bude held on for a well-deserved, but close win.

This Saturday sees Bude away to joint league leaders Paignton, while the seconds, who had to concede their opener at St Austell Thirds on Saturday, hope to get their league campaign up and running with a home fixture against Falmouth Seconds. Both games start at 3pm.

BUDE: Olly Denford, Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Will Pharo, Joe Wilson, Jack Horwell, Brad Thomas, Alfie Hurwood; Nick Waterson, Rory Mead, Chris Allin, Will Hockridge (capt), Fred Saxton, Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Hayden Chater, Charlie Watton, Ben Tharme.

Tries: Hockridge (2), Hancock; Convs: Pharo (3); Pens: Pharo (2).

Bude man of the match: Will Pharo.