By Paul Cottle at Bencoolen Meadow

COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Bude 5 Plymstock Albion Oaks 64

The gulf in class between league leaders, Plymstock Albion Oaks, and the rest of the sides in the division was clear for all to see at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday as Bude were on the end of a 10-try drubbing.

The Devonians had racked up 183 points in victories over Tavistock, Bideford and Redruth Seconds, so the hosts knew it was going to be tough.

In truth, this was not a bad performance by the Seasiders and for the first hour they kept Oaks in check with some determined defensive work, but in the final 20 minutes as the dam finally burst, the visitors ran in a further four tries, including one in stoppage time.

Continuing a pattern from their previous games this season, Bude opened brightly and had a couple of chances to open the scoring, but, frustratingly, the final pass would not stick or Plymstock’s defence kept them at bay.

Instead, it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a try by full-back Alex Chapman to finish off a well-executed three-quarter move at pace. Fly-half Lewis Paterson added the extras and Oaks led 7-0.. Further tries in quick succession came from loosehead-prop Harvey Courtis and right-wing Joe Brearley, with Paterson converting the second and at the end of the first quarter, the visitors were 19 points up.

Bude dug deep into their reserves and for next the 15 minutes or so they kept the Oaks at bay. However, shortly before the break, a scorching break from outside-centre Duncan Bibby carved open the Seasiders’ defence to log his side’s fourth try of the afternoon, securing a bonus point in the process.

At half-time, Plymstock led 24-0, but Bude opened the second half strongly as they had the first, but, again, they couldn’t breach the visitors’ defensive line.

On 43 minutes, a promising attack from the home side was broken up and as the ball was spilled, it was scooped up and following a quick transfer down the line, left winger Corey Jamieson was on hand to finish in the corner, with a superb conversion from the touchline by Paterson to add the gloss.

However, finally the Seasiders got their reward when, on 52 minutes, from a penalty award, hooker Rory Mead created an opening to put inside-centre Joe Wilson in for a try to the right of the uprights.

Unfortunately, his midfield partner, Will Pharo, pulled his conversion attempt wide of the posts, but the score visibly lifted his side’s spirits.

Plymstock continued to attack, but Bude’s defensive will remained strong.

However, on the hour mark, replacement three quarter Mac Lewis finished off another well-worked backline move, again converted by Paterson, and by now Oaks were well clear at 38-5.

Further tries in the final quarter from Lewis, replacement forward Suliasi Naulivo, tighthead prop Luke Austin, and a second from Chapman, with Paterson converting all but Lewis’ second score made the final scoreline 64-5 in the visitors’ favour.

With this coming weekend declared league free, both of Bude’s men’s sides have a welcome day off before they return to league action next Saturday.

The firsts will make a short trip up the A39 to take on local rivals Bideford, while the seconds play host to Illogan Park in Counties Three Cornwall.

BUDE: Olly Denford, Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Will Pharo, Joe Wilson, Ollie Rowland, Brad Thomas, Alfie Hurwood; Nick Waterson, Rory Mead, Chris Allin, Will Hockridge, Fred Saxton, Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Fraser Martyn, Harvey Cholwill, Ben Tharme.

Tries: Wilson; Convs: N/A; Pens: N/A.