AFTER their third successive heavy defeat, the latest of which was on Easter Monday against Wadebridge Camels in the semi-final of the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Knockout Cup, Bude brought the curtain down on their "Curate's Egg" of the a season, with a final defeat, this time at the hands of relegated Withycombe, at a sun drenched Raleigh Park last Saturday, writes Paul Cottle.

In recent weeks their rugged pack has been the Seasiders' saving grace, with a plentiful supply of ball from both set scrums and lineout.

However, this time, without the old warhorses Barry Sobey and Dave Risdon, Bude's pack couldn't handle the pressure in the scrums against a fired up Withies' eight and in addition to losing a couple of strikes against the head, one of which resulted in a try for the hosts, after loosehead prop Matt Williams had to retire with an ankle injury, they were forced to accept uncontested scrums for the final quarter of the match, an anathema to old fashioned front row forwards, amongst them Club President John Boundy watching from the touchline.

There was clearly an air of "the end of the term" about the proceedings, although, rather surprisingly, after such a difficult season which saw them docked ten points for a registration misdemeanour mid-season and virtually consigned to relegation from that point onwards, Withycombe seemed keen to go out with a bang.

Within four minutes of the first whistle Withies had taken the lead, as the visitors were still clearing the cobwebs off the bus journey from their systems. The score, a classic "catch and drive" move, awarded to veteran second row Richard Blyth, following a penalty kick to touch and lineout, was just the early wake up call the Seasiders needed.

With the warm spring sunshine and firm ground conditions finally giving Bude's talented backline the running conditions they desire, a long distance move started in their own 22, taken on by right wing Matt Trewin and finished by inside centre Paul Williams gave their travelling supporters something really to cheer about, with full back Olly Denford adding the extras.

Sadly, it was to prove a false dawn, notwithstanding Denford extending the visitors' lead on 15 minutes, with a successful penalty kick, after the home side were caught offside at a ruck deep in their own territory.

However, the Seasiders' lead was to be short lived, as shortly before the half hour mark, flanker Ben Turner pounced on a loose ball to claim his side's second try after his scrum half had chipped over the visitors' advancing defensive line following a scrum in midfield, with his full back Ollie Ellsworth slotting the conversion. The powerful Turner added a second try on 33 minutes, as he broke blind from a scrum near to the visitors' line, with Ellsworth again adding the extras.

Trailing 19-10 at the break and with the slope against them in the second half, Bude knew they had to strike back quickly if they were to have a realistic chance of success.

Instead, eight minutes after the re-start, the hosts set the scoreboard ticking over again, with their fourth try of the afternoon, by left wing Adam Law, after his hooker had claimed a strike against the head at a set scrum 20 metres out, as the visitors' scrum crumpled. Ellsworth slotted his third conversion and at 26-10 down Bude had a mountain to climb.

With loosehead Matt Williams now off the park, and uncontested scrums called, finally Bude began to regain their composure, as flankers Lee Weston and Dave Barnes worked tirelessly in a losing cause to drag their side back into contention.

On 70 minutes, replacement centre Adam Williams made a half break before showing good strength and awareness in the tackle to off-load to his elder brother and fellow centre Paul, who, in turn, fed full back Denford on a clear run-in to the line. The full back slotted his third successful kick for the personal tally of 12 points, but it was too little and too late as Withies held on for victory.

The Seasiders could have few complaints and after a long hard season which sees them finish in a disappointing eighth place in the league table, the players can now look forward to a good summer's break before commencing pre-season training in July.

Scorers

Withycombe: Ben Turner (2), Richard Blyth, Adam Law (tries), Ollie Elsworth (3 conversions).

Bude: Paul Williams (try), Olly Denford (try, 2 conversions and penalty goal).

Bude: Olly Denford, Matt Trewin, Darren Jasper (Adam Williams), Paul Williams, Martin Green, Andy Yates, Ollie Mounce, Matt Williams (Thabo Mitchell), Paul Cholwill, Gareth Walker, Will Kingdon (Capt.), Luke Dunkin, Dave Barnes, Lee Weston and Mark Parsons (Charlie Dicker).

Referee: Mr Steve Moir (Callington – Devon RRS).