CHRISTMAS cheer was in short supply for Bude last Saturday, when precious little went right for them and they eventually conceded three second half tries to lose 19-0 to mid-table Tiverton at Coronation Field, writes Paul Cottle.

First, skipper Barry Sobey had to cry off at lunchtime, with flooding problems on the farm, which considerably weakened the front row and resulted in wholesale changes in the pack, then they sustained three possible long term injuries, the worst of which saw replacement flanker Lee Weston knocked unconscious, swallowing his tongue in the process, resulting in a trip to Wonford Hospital and finally came the late rush of tries after a scoreless first 53 minutes. Yes, it was one of those days best forgotten. Perhaps Christmas shopping with the wife has attractions after all!

On a pitch which in racing parlance was distinctly on the heavy side, it was an afternoon for a good old fashioned attritional battle in the forwards, but both sides had other ideas and whilst the packs were kept busy, the threequarters certainly did their best to brighten the dank afternoon in East Devon.

The home side had the better of the opening half, especially in the set piece play, where Bude's pack were under constant pressure in the scrums, with the captain's presence being sorely missed and eventually their lineout also began to look a little shaky.

Midway through the half, things began to go awry for the visitors as they lost second row Tom David with a shoulder injury, after he had put in a thumping tackle to save a certain try. Then, his replacement Lee Weston had been on the field of play for little more than 15 minutes, when another brave tackle saw him knocked unconscious and but for the speedy intervention of lifeguard Mini Fry from the touchline, things could have been a lot worse. Thankfully, apart from a thumping headache, there was little lasting damage, although he now faces a spell on the sideline for recuperation.

After a lengthy stoppage, play resumed with Fry now in the thick of the action on the field of play, in the back row. Tiverton did have one final chance to take the lead as the visitors were penalised for handling in a ruck, but the kick from inside centre Jimmy Atkins missed its target.

With the diagonal breeze now favouring the visitors and having performed heroics in defence in the first half, perhaps this was the Seasiders' chance to claim their first away win of the season.

Although living on scraps from the forwards, Bude's half backs Ollie Mounce and Ollie Rayner were looking dangerous and with full back Matt Trewin a constant counter attacking threat, the home side had to be vigilant.

On 54 minutes, with Trewin lying prone on the turf in the Tiverton 22, the home side attacked from deep, up the flank in front of the grandstand and only a superb last ditch tackle from right wing Tim Green prevented the opening score. However, from the resulting scrum, Tivvy were not to be denied and left wing Ian Branton touched down, with Atkins adding the extras.

Four minutes later, Bude could blame no one but themselves as they lost concentration at a lineout on their own five metre line and the hosts' skipper second row Henry Ellicott gratefully accepted the gift. With Atkins now having found his range, it became a full seven pointer and at 14 points adrift, Bude were firmly on the backfoot.

The final quarter saw the visitors under the cosh, but still their resolve was strong and a fine last ditch tackle, this time from left wing Olly Denford on a rampaging Ellicott prevented a third try. However, from the resulting penalty award and lineout, the ball was worked rapidly across field and right wing Barney Bell touched down in the opposite corner.

With the floodlights shining brightly and time rapidly running out, Bude had one final chance to break their duck as fly half Rayner made an excellent break from deep, but with support on his shoulder, he opted for glory but was caught and hauled down, the scoring chance gone.

As league rugby takes a two week break over the Christmas and New Year holiday, Bude will line up for the traditional fixture on Boxing Day against President John Boundy's XV in what is usually a full blooded contest, despite the seasonal festivities.

Scorers: Tiverton: Ian Branton, Henry Ellicott, Barney Bell (tries), Jimmy Atkins (2 conversions). Bude: Nil.

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

Referee: Mr David Conway (Oxfordshire RRS).