Western Counties (West Division)

Bude 29

BUDE’S Dan Pearce scored a 30-yard penalty with just two minutes remaining to give Bude a vital 29-27 victory over fellow strugglers Crediton at Bencoolen Meadow.

Following last Saturday’s humiliating 92-0 defeat at St Ives, the home side knew that anything but a win against a team next to them in the table would suffice.

Bude flew out of the traps and took the lead inside the opening minute as Pearce found a gap in the visitors backline to touch down before he added the extras.

Crediton finally got into the game and drew the scores level as Devon Hosegood went over in the left corner. Mark Lee slotted home the conversion.

Bude’s pack is always crucial to any of their victories and they regained the initiative with a try from centre Matt Trewin after good work from the forwards.

The opening exchanges provided plenty of chances for both sides and Crediton were again level as skipper Josh Lee burst through a lineout to make it 12-12.

Lee was again on top form from the tee to add the conversion before a penalty put them five points to the good.

However, Bude’s pack was proving as potent as ever as they forced the visitors over, allowing scrum-half Ollie Mounce to dot down. This time Pearce converted to give the hosts the lead at the interval.

The second-half continued in the same vein, and following another big drive from the home side, number eight, James Comber, collected the ball off the back of the scrum to force his way over the line.

Crediton continued to plug away and former Exeter Chiefs flyer Jason Luff showed he’s still got it by showing some fancy footwork to reduce the deficit.

Again Lee converted before adding his second penalty of the afternoon to give them the lead.

If Bude were to find a winning score, it seemed that Pearce or the forwards would be key, and so it proved.

After more yards were made by the pack, a penalty was awarded 30-yards from the posts.

Up stepped Pearce to hammer the ball between the posts and send the crowd inside Bencoolen?Meadow into raptures.

The victory moves Bude up to third bottom, one point ahead of Crediton and four behind Burnham-on-Sea who produced one of the results of the weekend in defeating Exeter University 24-0.

Next weekend Bude face the daunting task of a trip to Cullompton, who are second in the table.

Bude:

Tries: Pearce, Trewin, Mounce, Comber

Convs: Pearce 3

Pen: Pearce

Crediton:

Tries: Hosegood, J Lee, Luff

Convs: M Lee 3

Pens: M Lee 2