By Paul Cottle
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST (SATURDAY)
St Ives 22 Bude 20
BUDE made the long journey down the A39 for the opening game of the 2024/25 league campaign against St Ives and came up just short, losing by two points, but, perhaps crucially secured a valuable bonus point in the process.
With Simon Jeffery heading up the coaching team, assisted by Joe Wilson, who will be combining his role with a return to the playing field after knee surgery, and under the captaincy of Will Hockridge, with Finley Fry as his vice-captain, Bude's team had a familiar look about it, but with the introduction of some new blood.
Twenty-year-old prop Hayden Chater was amongst the replacements while flanker Matt Maniglia and fellow 18-year-old – scrum-half Alfie Hurwood – were given first starts.
Not surprisingly, both sides showed signs of rustiness in the opening exchanges after the summer recess, but it was the hosts who settled the quicker and from a powerful driving maul, loosehead prop James Curnow touched down for the first score, with fly-half Jack Keogh adding the extras.
A penalty goal from outside-centre Will Pharo, entrusted with the kick duties in place of regular kicker Olly Denford, reduced the Hakes' lead to four points, with the scoreline remaining 7-3 in the hosts' favour at the break.
Early in the second half Hurwood was unfortunate to earn himself 10 minutes on the sideline as he knocked on an attempted interception, and during his absence the home side took advantage of their numerical superiority.
First, number eight Chris Warren powered over to finish off a series of phases in the visitors' 22, after having won the ball at a lineout, then scrum-half Adam Harris scored a stunning solo try as he jinked his way over from 35 metres out.
Neither try was converted, but with the scoreline now 17-3 to the hosts, the game looked beyond the visitors.
However, this Bude side is nothing if not resilient and following a series of pick and go drives from their pack, number eight Ben Hancock went over from close range, with Pharo converting to bring his side back within striking distance at 17-10.
An unconverted try from skipper Hockridge, this time in the corner, reduced the deficit to two points, and everything to play for as the game moved into the final quarter.
A try in the corner from right wing Billy Bassett gave his side some breathing space, earning a bonus point in the process, before a second try from Hockridge again brought Bude back within two points, but with Pharo unable to nail the conversion, the Hakes squeaked home with a full five points in the bag.
This Saturday, Bude entertain a Kingsbridge side (3pm) that narrowly missed out on promotion last term and who are likely to prove tough opponents for the first home game of the league season.
Meanwhile, Bude Seconds are away to St Austell Thirds in Counties Three Cornwall League (3pm) and the newly reformed Bude Colts play hosts to their Penryn counterparts in the Cornwall Colts League with a midday start at Bencoolen Meadow.
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.