IN the reverse fixture at the Newquay Sports Centre in early November, Bude received a 55-12 drubbing at the hands of their North Cornish coast rivals Newquay Hornets, who gave a display of superb running rugby. This time, despite being low on confidence, Bude showed real character and but for a momentary error which resulted in the visitors' solitary try, could easily have claimed what would have been only their second league victory of the season, writes Paul Cottle.

Clearly the elements played their part, with a howling gale blowing down the ground from the clubhouse end and conditions heavy and slippery underfoot, which suited the Seasiders' rugged pack rather more than the fleet footed visitors. On this showing, Bude are clearly making progress and although there is still some way to go before they will again be serious promotion candidates, things are looking up after a difficult first half of the season.

With the Atlantic storms rapidly approaching from the south-west, Bude had the elements in their favour in the first half and it was clear they needed to take full advantage if they were to stand any chance of claiming the spoils.

Their territorial kicking was good, with fly half Ollie Rayner taking the lead, but they were unable to turn their pressure into points and in the threequarters, the pace of Matt Trewin, currently out nursing a hamstring strain, was sorely missed.

However, the forward battle proved lively, offering some cheer for the more traditional of the home supporters, with hooker Dan Miles prominent in the loose alongside his back row colleagues, Messrs David, Uglow and Statton.

Each side had their scoring chances in the opening period, with fly half Rayner just short of the target with a long distance penalty attempt midway through the half and the Hornets' scrum half Sam Cullen stabbing a more straight forward kick wide of the uprights, just before the break.

With the game still scoreless at half time and the strengthening wind against them in the second period, Bude knew they faced an uphill task. The visitors' fly half Andy Dixon pinned the Seasiders deep in their territory for long periods, but Bude's defence held firm, with inside centre Andy Yates saving a certain try in the 55th minute and receiving a heavy knock for his troubles.

However, as Newquay continued to press, they finally got their reward in the 62nd minute, courtesy of a mix-up in the Bude defence following a defensive five metre scrum. Despite winning the ball at the set piece, scrum half Ollie Mounce's pass to his half back partner Rayner was spilled and Cullen, snapping terrier fashion as all good scrum halves should, pounced to claim the try and added the conversion for good measure.

7-0 down, with everything going against them, many a side would have folded, but Bude showed excellent character to re-group and hit back strongly.

In the 75th minute, following a sustained period of pressure, the Seasiders drove a maul in the visitors' 22 and as the ball was fed back, Mounce was on hand to snipe over on the blindside. Despite the acuteness of the angle and with the gale against him, Rayner so very nearly made amends for his earlier error as his conversion attempt just faded at the last moment.

So near and yet so far, two points adrift, Bude were unable to conjure up any last minute score and at the final whistle, Newquay were relieved to claim both points which they probably expected to gather somewhat more easily.

This Saturday, Bude make their long trip of the season, up the M5 to Weston-Super-Mare based Hornets, sitting mid table after overcoming a substantial points deduction for disciplinary reasons. On this showing the Seasiders can travel with some measure of confidence that the corner has been turned in what has proved to be a difficult season.

Scorers — Bude: Ollie Mounce (try). Newquay Hornets: Sam Cullen (try and conversion).

Bude: Olly Denford, Mark Dennis (Steve Yates), Paul Williams, Andy Yates, Tim Green, Ollie Rayner, Ollie Mounce, Barry Lucas, Dan Miles, Barry Sobey (Capt), Will Kingdon, John Hiscock (Matt Williams), Dave Uglow, Dan Statton (Lee Weston), and Tom David.

Referee: Mr Lawrie Prideaux (Camborne – Cornwall RRS)