THESE two closely matched teams had glorious sunshine for this Plate semi-final on Sunday.

In the first half, it seemed that Bude had got rid of the hailstorms (and Kylie) of 2 weeks ago and started to play some decent rugby. Bodmin were penalised for constant handling in the rucks which Matt Heywood converted well. Bude kept up the pressure which Bodmin absorbed well until Jago Cann received the ball and burst through, evading three tackles to score near the posts. Matt kicking the conversion to make it 10-0 at half time.

Bude knew that the second half would be tougher with the wind against them. Bodmin, who had constantly kicked away possession in the first half, now kicked long and high balls to keep Bude pinned in their own half. This meant that when Bude gave away a penalty for offside, the resulting kick was an easy three points for Bodmin.

A dreadful series of mistakes by Bude (or maybe I should say good pressure from Bodmin) led to Bodmin running in an easy try beneath the posts which was duly converted. Bodmin took a 3 point lead by converting another penalty soon afterwards.

This led to some frantic rugby in the last ten minutes. Bude could have scored twice but for a forward pass and for not passing. However, they made it easier for the Bodmin defence by consistently running sideways giving no space out on the wings. When the ref gave Bude a free kick and called last play, we expected an onslaught from the Bude forwards but were surprised by the decision to kick ahead giving Bodmin the ball to kick into touch and take the win.

Bude will have to pick themselves up and get back to some serious training to be the winning team that we all know they can be.

Bude team not mentioned: Johna Spratley (capt), Sam Diamond, Graham Glew, Richard Herzog, Luke Goacher, Lewis Seaton, James Savage, Ollie Dell, Duncan Tout, Freddie Saxton, Jimmy Baker, Tim Ames, Shane Lovejoy, James Adams, George Morris and Mike Garrett. Peter Goacher.