By Paul Cottle at Bencoolen Meadow

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Bude 33 Wiveliscombe 26

BUDE boosted their chances of survival with a very welcome victory over mid-table Wiveliscombe at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday.

Having not won since the end of October, they were rapidly slipping into the relegation danger zone, but this win will now give them fresh heart and with their next two games both at home to fellow strugglers Tavistock and Penryn, they have an excellent opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and their co-candidates for the drop.

On a fine day for rugby the hosts started well and a little over 10 minutes in they broke the deadlock as a delightful half break by fly-half Brad Thomas and a swift passing exchange with winger Ollie Rowland carved open Wivvy's defence and saw Thomas dot down wide out on the left. The conversion was missed but they led 5-0.

The visitors quickly responded and on 17 minutes, number eight Dan Smythe-Moore forced his way over before young fly-half Cam Palk added the extras for 5-7.

Bude were winning the breakdown and from a quick tap penalty, hooker Rory Mead ducked under a tackle to touch down for Bude’s second try which Thomas boosted with the boot for 12-7.

The home side were given a huge helping hand just before half-time as a scuffle resulted in Wivvy winger Tom Lally being sent-off for a punch on Ben Tharme.

In the 38th minute the hosts took full advantage when skipper Will Hockridge made a strong drive and with the ball quickly recycled by livewire scrum-half Alfie Hurwood, inside-centre Joe Wilson broke through the visitors' defensive line to cross under the posts, providing the easiest of conversion attempts for Thomas.

At the break Bude led 19-7 and things were soon to get worse for the visitors as their second row Morgan Kimsey was sent to the bin for 10 minutes, a victim of his team's repeated offside infringements.

With the visitors now down to 13 men, the Seasiders went for the jugular. A strong surge by Hockridge and his second row partner, Fred Saxton, created a good attacking platform and given quick ruck ball, Thomas put full-back Will Pharo in to the right of the posts for the hosts' fourth try and bonus point.

It was rapidly becoming one-way traffic and in the 53rd minute a classic ‘catch and drive’ move saw home number eightBen Hancock touch down for Bude's fifth try. Thomas again added the extras for 33-7.

However, Wiveliscombe had other ideas and responded. Smythe-Moore soon scored in the corner and on 69 minutes outside-centre Will Ruell’s well-earned try got them to within 14.

Now with both sides visibly tiring, and despite the one-man advantage, Bude were forced on to the defensive once more and with barely two minutes remaining Ruell scored a second try and a fourth for his side, earning a bonus point in the process. Palk again converted and Wiveliscombe were back within seven points.

Wivvy were given one final chance, but after knocking on, Bude won the scrum and booted the ball out of play to seal a much-needed victory.

This Saturday Bude are again at home (2.30pm), with Tavistock the visitors for a game vital to the chances of survival.

BUDE: Will Pharo, Olly Denford, Ben Tharme, Joe Wilson, Ollie Rowland, Brad Thomas, Alfie Hurwood, Fraser Martyn, Rory Mead, Hayden Chater, Will Hockridge (capt), Fred Saxton, Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Chris Allin, Harvey Cholwill, Lewis Jones.

Tries: Thomas, Mead, Wilson, Pharo, Hancock; Convs: Thomas (4); Pens: N/A.

Bude man of the match: Brad Thomas.