BUDE suffered another heavy loss on the road last Saturday, as they went down by six tries and two conversions to a solitary converted try against a youthful Penryn side at the Memorial Ground, writes Paul Cottle.

Whilst for any follower of the Seasiders it was a hugely disappointing result especially after the previous week's high scoring victory over Okehampton.

However, you had to admire the continuity and all-round play of "The Borough", whose fortunes are now very firmly on the up after flirting with professionalism in the early years of this century, only to run out of money and players, suffer three successive relegations and then have to re-build again from the bottom.

With county coach Dave "Benji" Thomas in charge on the training paddock and veteran Kevin Hughes, a sprightly 41 year old, leading the way on the pitch, they gave Bude a rugby lesson and provided plenty of food for thought for the Seasiders' young coaching team. Despite the heavy loss, if those lessons are learned, such as pace and movement of the ball on contact, using their improved level of fitness, then this could also prove to be a catalyst for improved fortunes at Bencoolen Meadow.

Within two minutes of the first whistle Bude were behind as right wing Mike Slater crossed in the corner for the opening score, after the visitors' defence were stretched from side to side and eventually ran out of numbers.

However, on four minutes the Seasiders appeared to have drawn level when scrum half Steve Yates broke around the front of a lineout 30 metres out and offloaded to his half back partner Simon Hicks, who crossed the line, but apparently failed to ground the ball as he was tackled. An attacking scrum was awarded, but the visitors couldn't take advantage, the ball was cleared and the scoring chance gone.

Two tries in close succession, the first from outside centre Matt Symons, converted by scrum half Taron Peacock and the second from second row Allen Jordan, both from good close support play stretched the hosts' lead to 17 points with the game barely in the second quarter.

Bude needed a score, any kind of score, and it was their trusty traditional driving maul that provided the goods, with loosehead prop Matt Williams grounding the ball. Full back Olly Denford added the extras and briefly the Seasiders were back in contention. It didn't last and with Bude's defence again stretched by the pace of the attack, scrum half Peacock made it try number four with a dart up the right flank shortly before the break.

The visitors opened the second period brightly and with their pack creating an excellent scoring position 30 metres out straight in front of the posts. The home forwards were forced to concede a penalty for hands in the ruck, but Denford was unable to take advantage, as his kick failed to take flight and was adjudged to have limped under the bar, although most of his team-mates and many on the touchline thought otherwise. It rather summed up Bude's day.

On 46 minutes Jordan claimed his second try with a powerful gallop to the line and then with 25 minutes remaining his second row partner Hughes got in on the scoring act with Penryn's sixth try from a driven maul, which Peacock converted to increase his side's lead to 34-7.

Despite a late rally, with Matt Trewin and Ben Couch running strongly, Bude were unable to reduce the deficit and at the final whistle Penryn were worthy victors and the visitors could have few complaints.

This Saturday Bude entertain yet another of the league's new boys Tavistock, coached by former Cornish All Blacks prop Steve Rush, who are finding life tough in Western Counties West in the early weeks of the season. However, there is long history of tough competitive contests between the two sides, even well before the advent of league rugby and this match is likely to prove no different.

Scorers:

Penryn: Allen Jordan (2), Mike Slater, Matt Symons, Taron Peacock, Kevin Hughes (Tries), Taron Peacock (2 Conversions).

Bude: Matt Williams (Try), Olly Denford (Conversion).

Bude: Olly Denford, Matt Trewin, Ben Couch, Paul Williams, Darren Jasper, Simon Hicks (Julian Morris), Steve Yates (Capt), Matt Williams, Dan Miles, Dave Risdon, Paul Cholwill (Barry Sobey), Luke Dunkin, Thabo Mitchell, Kurt Blake (Rob Uglow) and Will Kingdon.

Referee: Mr Richard Gibbons (Bodmin – Cornwall RRS).